250 University Avenue - Ramona Plaza [Downtown South] 1989
Ramona Plaza is arguably the grandest of the POPOS, though there are few bits of fine tuning that could bring its intended central role in downtown to life.
Ramona Plaza was the inaugural Palo Alto POPOS in the “modern era” of Planned Community Zoning in Palo Alto. Conceived of by Jim Baer in 1989, this Plaza is in some sense in the very center of downtown Palo Alto. It created pedestrian and bicycle circulation opportunities in off-street pathways, designed with the Mediterranean feel of Ramona Street’s Pedro de Lemos-designed jewels. With connections to University, Ramona, Hamilton and Bryant Streets, this plaza is teeming with potential - albeit much unrealized. Concrete “stools” may be practical but are less than inviting.
Centennial Wall greets you as you enter from Hamilton. The entrance from Ramona has a certain grandeur, albeit somewhat overshadowed by Citibank’s messaging. The Plaza itself has been encroached upon by Ettan’s expanding plastic-enclosed outdoor dining area, located on the Bryant side of the plaza. Its rectalinear form factor is jarring to the curved aesthetic of the original plaza. Meanwhile, there is an identity crisis going on with a bronze wall plaque declaring this “Shearer Plaza"“ Wait. What? It features a sun-shaped bronze medallion with the words'Ramona Plaza' in the center of the Plaza. Research is underway regarding this matter.
HOURS: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
WHAT’S THERE: There are four walkways into the circular (originally) center plaza where there are 8 concrete stools attached to the ground. The retail businesses encircle the space, including a curved staircase to somewhere. Centennial Wall features the names of people who donated to support Palo Alto’s 100th year in 1994.
WHAT YOU CAN DO THERE: You can sit on the concrete stools, on the edge of the planter boxes. You can people watch, eat lunch or an ice cream cone from nearby ice cream shop. You can contemplate local history and avoid walking on streets for a block. You can eat at Ettan but be separated from the Public sphere.
WHAT I HAVE DONE HERE: I have sung “The Man on the Flying Trapeze” following “It Happened One Night” at the Stanford Theater. I have sketched with a friend sitting on chairs that I brought with me. I performed a (Yoko Ono style) score that I wrote. I have visited the Centennial Wall and measured the Ettan outdoor space. (It takes up about 2/3 of the passage to Bryant.)
WHAT YOU CAN’T DO THERE: I am not sure. You might have to try some things and find out the hard way.
WHAT MIGHT YOU DO THERE? This seems like a great spot for a dance party, or making a soapbox speech, delivered from one of the concrete stools. You could have your own dinner party from any number of take out spots in downtown - or your own picnic. What else?