901-909 Alma St - [Downtown South] 1996
This POPOS awaits a name. What would you call it?
During my initial research, somehow I missed this POPOS. I didn’t catch it when I was pouring over zoning maps an it didn’t rise to consiousness until I spoke with someone who had done massive amounts of research related to the code enforcement of the POPOS. This one was on her radar.
I did a double take and realized it was, like so many other POPOS, hiding in plain sight. It is immediately opposite Hassett Hardware and while its address is 901-909 Alma, this POPOS runs along Homer Avenue.
A few noteworthy mentions:
The POPOS has a handsome metal bench - I’d say that is the central focal point. It’s interesting and it does not have a bar in the middle that is designed to prevent members of the public from sleeping. That’s in the plus column. It’s welcoming.
While visally appealing, I’ve been told the bench can get exremely hot and thus NOT comfortable to sit on. A problem in hot, sunny weather.
According to the ordinance #4389, this POPOS was supposed to include “Urban Design, Program 15 - "Create mini-parks, pedestrian malls, promenades, open space, and areas where pedestrian would have right-of-way over automobiles.? The project includes a 1,666 sq. ft. pedestrian plaza fronting on Channing Avenue that includes a raised planter, public seating and new landscaping.” Elsewhere in the ordinance it references 1,786 square feet. By my measurement, there is dramatically less squarefootage in real life. Most of it is the large planter boxes. .
HOURS: 24x7
WHAT’S THERE: On the High Street end of the passageway, there are covered bike racks that look like umbrellas or toadstools with some concrete stools next to some unremarkable planting areas. There are several trees with strings of lights and an area that widens where there is a bit of sun and space for something to happen. The narrow, canyon-like passageway toward the Alma Street end is quite uninviting but does provide a way through wiithout having to go to Hamilton or University Avenues. Here is the Ordinance.
WHAT’S AROUND: This POPOS is across the street from Hassett Hardware.
WHAT YOU CAN DO THERE: You can sit on the bench - if it’s not too hot, have some coffee, wait for something, see who is coming and going from the hardware store. And perhaps there could be some birdwatching in the trees and shrubs. The triangle-shaped stretch of concrete could be good for playing jacks - or doing jumping jacks.
WHAT I HAVE DONE HERE: A group from the Woman’s Club of Palo Alto participated in a festive “RED TAPE CUTTING” during a tour of the Downtown Palo Alto POPOS when this POPOS was discovered. I also sat on the bench. It wasn’t too hot that day. I put a ball of red tape on the bench. I rather like how it looks.
This redtape cutting ceremony was rousing and jolly with a group from the Woman’s Club of Palo Alto touring the Downtown Palo Alto POPOS. This POPOS was a recent “discovery”.
The metal bench with a ball of red tape from the Red Tape Cuting ceremony.
WHAT YOU CAN’T DO THERE: A lot of the square footage of this POPOS is planted with shrubs and trees, all at another level. And I don’t think it is even close to the 1,700 or 1,660 the ordinance says it is supposed to be. So what can’t you do? You tell me.
Roaming around the POPOS is limited. And sitting on the bench in the hot sun (or even the cold) would likely not be too pleasant.
The good news is that there are no visible signs of what you can’t do and there is a bench, so consider yourself welcome.