The Sun Sunnyvale's Newspaper News Briefs City buys lot for downtown redevelopment Councilmembers approved the purchase of 1.2 acres of downtown land in the 200 block of S. Mathilda Avenue for $2,670,000 at an Oct. 6 meeting. Mayor Jim Roberts called the acquisition "a strategic piece of property" for the city's future plans on the redevelopment of downtown Sunnyvale. Combined with a nearby parcel the city purchased in 1994, the city hopes the land mass can be redeveloped to serve as a significant gateway to the Town Center. City fences in neighbors until December Neighbors living near Dona and Ramona avenues will have to wait until December to see what action the city will take regarding the chain-link fences that were raised this summer to keep out delinquents on bicycles who terrorized the neighborhood. City Council members accepted the staff's recommendation to leave the fences "as is" until the city can determine a long-term solution for the area. Pacific Gas & Electric Company owns portions of the weed-filled land along with the city. The two entities shared in costs for raising the fences when angry neighbors complained the open lots were being used for a racetrack, luring teenagers who neighbors said were causing problems. Neighbors also said the lots between their homes were littered with trash and used as encampments for the homeless. But when the fences went up, some neighbors complained they were an eyesore and called on the City Council to make the barriers aesthetically pleasing. According to a report, the city found that maintaining sprawling vines and installing irrigation lines would be too costly for what could turn out to be a short-term solution. PG&E has also stated that it will not be willing to share in any costs for moving the fence back--as some neighbors suggested--or making general improvements to the area. A spokesperson for PG&E said the company is willing to discuss development of the land as open space for recreational purposes. Coffee house night brews up Saturday in Sunnyvale A new parks and recreation program for Sunnyvale teens begins Oct. 17, at Le Boulanger Café on North Mathilda Avenue. Teens are welcome to come to the cafe from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. to socialize with friends and enjoy a variety of entertainment provided by other local teens. A select menu will offer sandwiches, pastries, coffee drinks, juices, waters and soft drinks at a discounted price. Admission is free, but a high school ID is required at the door. The cafe is located at 305 N. Mathilda Ave. For more information, call Lynne Pace Green at the City of Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation Department, (408) 730-7741. FUHSD sophomore gets $20,000 for college Judy Tsai, a sophomore at Lynbrook High School, was selected from a group of more than 100 of the most talented students in the Silicon Valley to receive a prestigious Valley Scholars $20,000 college scholarship, the Fremont Union High School District announced recently. Tsai will receive $5,000 each year for four years while in college. [ Back to Contents Page | Sunnyvale Sun Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, October 14, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.