Atherton Starts Working on New Town Center

The Atherton Civic Center Advisory Committee is interviewing design firms to find one that will create a master plan for a new town center, said George Rodericks, city manager for the City of Atherton, California. 

The new town center will be a space that will hold a majority of the town’s government offices, as well as the library, the police department, and council chambers.  The goal is to create a “there there” that will meet the community’s needs and be a source of civic pride for Atherton residents, Rodericks said.

Atherton residents approved allocating funding for the endeavor during the November 2012 election, with 74 % of the 3,728 voters who participated in the election voting yes on the Measure L.  The text of the  measure declared that funds for the new town center will come from private donations and building fees. 

The ACCAC has interviewed four design firms to date, most of which have offices in San Francisco.

Four design firms have made it through the committee:  BMS, HKS Architects, HMC+BPA, and LPA, which has an office in San Diego. They responded to a request for proposals issued by the city, according to Rodericks, and were asked to interview based on their work.  

Rodericks said that the committee has not seen the amount that the firms expect their design to cost. The intent is to select a firm based on its designs, not its price.

The committee is composed of Atherton Mayor Elizabeth Lewis, Councilmember Jim Dobbie, and Atherton residents: Paul Tonelli, Clive Merredew, Rick Degolia, Steve Dostart, Rose Hau, Phil Lively, and Didi Fisher.

They are scheduled to make a recommendation about their preferred design firm to Atherton Councilmembers at the June 19 City Council meeting.  

The CCAC meets every second Monday of the month at 4:30 p.m. in council chambers, located at 91 Ashfield Road in Atherton, California.