I was saddened to see that Redwood City’s Joanne Fabrics is on the list of stores to be closed as part of that company’s bankruptcy proceedings. The San Mateo store is also on the list, as is Cupertino, leaving San Jose as perhaps the nearest Joann Fabrics store that will remain open in our area. My wife, who does a lot of fabric art, is particularly distraught, as she buys a lot from them. It appears that our store may remain open for a couple of months, though, as they hold sales to get rid of inventory. So for those of you, like my wife, who are patrons of theirs, you might want to stock up…

On a more upbeat note, I peeked into the new AutoZone that is about to open where Redwood City’s Bed, Bath and Beyond store used to be (on El Camino Real, just up from Woodside Road) and they appear to be about ready to open their doors (and presumably to then close their doors at 901 El Camino Real):

I spent some time this week in this part of Redwood City primarily because I wanted to see for myself the aftermath of Redwood City’s latest fire of note, which occurred at 2 a.m. last Saturday (February 8) at 112 Vera Ave. I’ve written a lot about the site in the past: it is where a very long-running project to rebuild five small duplexes (for a total of 10 apartments) got underway in August of 2019. But that project seemingly stalled in late 2022, and the buildings have sat, half-built and surrounded by construction fencing, ever since. The reason for the stoppage is most likely the fact that the project owner decided to pivot and is instead proposing to construct a seven-story, 178-unit affordable housing building on the site. But while that project works its way through the city’s approval process, the duplexes sit and slowly deteriorate:

As you can see, the buildings are fairly far along: they have shingled roofs, gutters, doors, and windows. The exteriors are tar-papered and have stucco mesh applied, but stand waiting for the stucco itself. These are just the kind of places that would attract someone who otherwise might live in a makeshift encampment, or kids looking for a place to fool around. Which may have been what happened last Saturday. I took the above picture on Tuesday, after the fire, and as you can see, there isn’t much evidence visible from Vera Avenue. That’s because the fire occurred in the unit at the very far end of the left-hand row (this development has the buildings arranged in a ‘U’, with two buildings on the left, two buildings on the right, and one duplex building at the base of the ‘U’). That particular unit is probably the most discreet; it is one of the hardest to see from the street, and thus the ideal spot to “move in” without attracting too much attention. As for how one gets in and out relatively unobserved, there is an alley that runs right behind the development, connecting Adams Street with El Camino Real. And although there is a construction fence back there as well, given that no one representing the owner seems to have been keeping a close eye on the place, that construction fence proved to be no obstacle:

In the above photo you can probably just make out a bit of the damage made by the fire, but here’s a better view:

According to the Redwood City Pulse, no one was injured. And given that the site may eventually be redeveloped with something along the lines of that seven-story affordable housing building, the property owner may not be too upset about this fire. But there happens to be a nearly identical set of duplexes immediately adjacent to this property, with units that back up to the units along the left side of this development. If I lived in that next-door development — especially in one of the duplexes that sit close to these half-built left-hand units — I’d sure be nervous…

I walk along Vera Avenue a lot these days because not only does it provide a direct connection between Red Morton Park — where the Veterans Memorial Building/Senior Center is still under construction — and the ELCO Yards project, there are also three small projects along that stretch of Vera that I am keeping eyes on. This week I watched as the crews working on one, at 533 Vera Ave., prepared their project for the heavy rains we just experienced:

As for the Veterans Memorial Building/Senior Center (VMSC), work continues all over that building, but mostly inside and along the “promenade” that will run the length of one side of the building and help connect it to the future YMCA that will one day take the place of the old VMSC just next door:

The building is sure looking nice. I can’t wait for it to open to the public!

Back at the other end of Vera, out at El Camino, I poked around the ELCO Yards project somewhat. It’s a good sign of progress that the trees are already being installed in the wells in the sidewalk (these ones along Cedar Street):

As well, the play equipment in the fenced-in outdoor portion of the childcare center that will be located along Cedar near El Camino Real has apparently been installed:

Finally, the section of Main Street that runs through the project — from Chestnut Street down to Elm Street or so — is now getting completely replaced, along with the adjacent sidewalks, curbs, and such:

This week I also walked through downtown. The large tent structure has once again been erected over Courthouse Square, and it seems that very soon we’ll once again be playing miniature golf inside:

I also spent time (as I often do) studying the under-construction Taube Family Carriage House and Automobile Gallery building. For some months now I’ve been examining the structure from various angles, trying to figure out whether or not it will contain an internal elevator to transport the carriages and cars that will make up the rotating exhibits between the various levels. I’ve concluded that no, there won’t be a large vehicle elevator, which makes sense, given the relatively small size of the building. As I understand it, automobiles and some carriages (that will be rotated out from time-to-time) will be confined to the ground floor, so no elevator will be needed for those. Ten other carriages will be permanently displayed on the second floor (which they refer to as the “first floor” in the European manner); presumably some accommodation has been made to get those in and out after the building has been completed (My guess is through a second-floor exterior door, using a large forklift or something from the outside), but that shouldn’t need to be done very often.  Finally, the top floor — what they’re referring to as the “rooftop terrace” — will be an open space equipped for catering and available for conferences, receptions and gatherings of up to 200 people.

The two street-facing sides of the building will have large windows through which cars and carriages will be visible to those out on the street. My guess is that some of the ones on the Middlefield Road end will actually be large glass doors through which cars and carriages can be moved:

Whether I’m right or not — we’ll find out soon enough! — the building is making good progress:

As a fan of both cars and carriages (I was born and raised in California’s car culture, and, oddly enough, my folks ended up with a horse-drawn carriage — but no horse — that we kids played on and that was used as transport for two or three noteworthy occasions [but that’s a story for another time]), I’m looking forward to visiting this new museum when it is finally completed and the displays are installed.

That’s about it for this week. I may or may not put out a post next week, given that I’ll be out of town, in part visiting friends who lost their home to the Palisades fire. In any case, two city items of note:

• Redwood City will be closing Marshall Street between Jefferson Avenue and Main Street from April to June in order to do work on the purple (recycled water) pipes. Because the only access to the Marshall Street parking garage is along the portion of the street that will be closed, that parking garage will be inaccessible for the duration. Thus, if you make use of that garage and/or are accustomed to driving along Marshall Street — as I do! — be prepared to make adjustments in a month or two. I do appreciate the city giving us such an early heads-up: the street and garage will be open until April, and of course will be once again open just as soon as the work is completed.
• Redwood City’s Transportation Advisory Committee has four openings for terms expiring May 31, 2029. The only requirements are that you be 16 years of age or older, that you be a resident of Redwood City, and that you have an interest in Complete Streets. So if you have thoughts and ideas, or just a keen interest, in traffic congestion, transit projects, parking, cycling and, yes, even walking in Redwood City, do consider applying to join the committee. Applications are being accepted now: click here to apply.