Plans for a new, 600,000-square-foot shopping center at Cochrane
Road and U.S. 101 are wending their way through City Hall.
Increased sales tax revenue, which pays for many city services,
certainly will be welcomed as the city is facing a tight budget for
the next several years.
Plans for a new, 600,000-square-foot shopping center at Cochrane Road and U.S. 101 are wending their way through City Hall. Increased sales tax revenue, which pays for many city services, certainly will be welcomed as the city is facing a tight budget for the next several years.
Cuts in city services are under consideration as costs outpace revenue. The city is dipping into reserves to achieve balanced budgets.
A regional shopping center will give residents and travelers along U.S. 101 many more shopping opportunities and choices. Locals will have more reasons to shop in town.
However, it is essential that the project not adversely impact the economics of our Downtown. The Downtown is the heart of our community. Its future as a retail base and destination site is promising but not assured.
Cities throughout the country have seen their downtowns decline and even fail as shopping centers sprout on their outskirts. That should not happen here.
Morgan Hill’s downtown is already in fairly good shape. It looks good, it’s mostly pedestrian friendly and there is a reasonably good mix of restaurants, one-of-a-kind shops, art galleries and services. There is even some housing planned to increase the number of people living in the area.
Our concern is that the Morgan Hill City Council take steps to protect, not only downtown businesses from the new place, but also those in outlying centers: Tennant Station, Vineyard Town Center, Morgan Hill Plaza and Cochrane Plaza, most of which have vacant stores at present.
A draft environmental impact report is scheduled to be released for comment in mid-April. If all goes according to plan, the City Council and Planning Commission will be asked to formally approve the project in July.
Essential to that approval process is assessing the economic impact on the Downtown and existing shopping centers.
Residents flocking to the new center, leaving the old ones behind, could leave established shopping areas dark, depressed and empty. And where would that get us?
The 45-day draft EIR public comment period is April 12-May 30. The document can be read on line at www.morganhill.ca.gov or at City Hall and at the library at Peak and W. Main avenues.
