I want to congratulate The Sun for its extensive, balanced coverage of the proposed downtown development. There was a capacity, standing-room-only crowd at the planning commission's second outreach meeting on April 29, and many people with whom I spoke said they came because of the articles in The Sun. I was quoted in an article on April 28, and I received over 20 calls from people who knew very little about the project. Many of those who came to the presentation were very impressed.

I strongly favor the proposed development. Other than Valley Fair, Stanford and shopping centers in "remote" areas of San Jose, few malls are successful. The key to the success of the Sunnyvale project is the mix of housing, retail, restaurants and movies. The overwhelming majority of people at the meeting enthusiastically supported the project.

Corporate representatives wanted even more housing than the 300 townhouses/condos proposed so that they could attract and retain employees, many of whom want to live in Sunnyvale. They and many who spoke want to be able to shop in Sunnyvale at a wide variety of stores, making shopping easier and increasing sales taxes for the city of Sunnyvale. With retail, movies, housing, and restaurants, the center will be active all the time, not just nights and weekends—not only with Sunnyvale residents (including those living in the townhouses), but also with people who work here and with those living in Los Altos, Cupertino and Mountain View.

I think the project is very well designed, and many changes have been made to accommodate community input. The variety of architectural styles, heights and uses results in a "town" feeling, instead of a boxy, massive, monotonous mall. The group built a similar development in Germantown, Tenn., where friends of mine thoroughly enjoy living.

Two developers have previously bailed, and if this project is not approved, I can't imagine a fourth one who would be willing to take it on. Therefore, I certainly hope "the third time's the charm." This development will "put Sunnyvale on the map," with a vibrant downtown far better and more attractive than any in our area.

Nancy Tivol

Sunnyvale

People want to buy into
a smart consciousness

There was pro-Forum plan hoo ha at the April 29 downtown meeting. (The shill was on.) The other outreach meetings over the last two-plus years were overwhelmingly "Moderation is the key."

Mr. De "Bozo's" cartoon likening the Santana Row Bimbo as our model was plainly projected. Is money the only thing that matters?

The issues facing our city are: traffic congestion, overdevelopment, too much growth, downtown development, property values and economy.

The Town Center Project at $300 million brings $100 million to the area while being built.

Builders build, make money and leave. It's business.

The issues stay, plus the redevelopment agency's city within our city.

In another Sunnyvale survey: a safe community, high-quality education, a healthy, sustainable environment and an efficient, safe transportation system were our top priorities.

Will the police be downtown or on your street? Schools are currently at capacity. A healthy, sustainable environment? A new clearer idea. Brilliant. Glowing. Shining Brightly. Radiant. The Sun. Its time is now. We teach it to the children. Let's walk the walk.

Let's create a model solar city for the world.

Or, do we get extra mega-developed housing units with the all-important traffic/congestion? More office space (Empty Mozart???) and too much surrounding housing.

People want to buy into a smart consciousness. Bed-Zed in cold Sussex, England, is a zero energy development project. We could do it here so much better.

Murphy Avenue is the past and it can be a great future in this millennium. And a town center library could be the link of old and new and bring people too with university consciousness.

We all agree we need retail.

But we don't need high buildings or oil wars. We need to lead with energy efficient high-tech, smart growth for a smart future right here, right now for smart people!

Let's do it.

Tommy Carrig

Sunnyvale

Grove, Farmers Market synergy could exist here

My sons live near the Grove in Los Angeles, and one works in the Grove.

I, too, was worried about the Farmers Market, which I love. The synergy between the two is great.

Of course, the population that might visit the Grove/Farmers Market is far greater than here; however, the sort of idea the Forum presents could be awesome for our community.

Bob Kinder

Sunnyvale

Find another cartoonist
worthy of the readers

I agree with Louis E. Freund's letter to the editor on May 5 stating that DeCinzo's cartoons are immature. In addition, they are offensive.

I hope you will take his advice and find another cartoonist worthy of your readers.

Sandra Reynolds

Sunnyvale

DeCinzo right with his perception of 4-H Clubs

I agree with DeCinzo's perception of 4-H Clubs as portrayed in his cartoon in the May 5 issue of The Sun. They teach kids that it is OK to betray their animal friends and send them off to slaughter.

Sally Klinke

Sunnyvale