San Mateo – Kaiser Permanente’s New Home
Last night, the San Mateo City Council unanimously approved a plan for a 64,700 sq ft Kaiser Medical Facility to be build on the 4.22 undeveloped parcel of land on Franklin Parkway between Hillsdale Blvd and Saratoga Drive. This site is near across from the new state of the art Police Station and Bay Meadows Townhomes.
Kaiser Concludes Bay Meadows Phase I Development Plan
Although this project is not quite what the city had hoped for (back in 2002 the W Hotel project was approved and financing fell through), the new Kaiser medical offices “will act well as a gateway to the city” according to Deputy Mayor Jack Matthews. In 1997, when the Bay Meadows plan was originally drafted, it required the land to be developed for visitor oriented uses, such as hotels, restaurants and conference facilities. When the City of San Mateo was not successful in luring a major hotel to the site, it amended its plan to allow a medical office building so it could conclude the Bay Meadows Phase I development plan.
Weekday Facility with Non-Emergency Services
The 3-story, 64,700 sq ft medical offices building will include pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, optometry, radiology, pharmacy and optical services. Kaiser plans to open this facility from 8am-5pm during the week and on weekends, has proposed to have a farmers market in the parking lot. Currently, the closest farmer’s market for San Mateo residents is at the College of San Mateo, so Fiesta Gardens, Bay Meadows and San Mateo Village residents would have a closer option.
Still Will Be a Visitor Oriented Site
To help keep with the original vision of the Bay Meadows Project, Kaiser plans to include a conference center and health education library that will be open to its members and the general public. There will also be an arcade and three parks built.
Safety Concerns for Pedestrian Traffic Raised
Because of the presence of children and seniors, concerns were raised about safety. It was suggested a traffic calming device be added. Pedestrian traffic will be funneled through the entrance at Saratoga Dr and Franklin Pkwy and there will be 300 parking spaces and 79 bike spaces available on the property.
Traffic Impact on San Mateo Residents
Though time will tell what kind of impact the new medical offices will have on Bay Meadows, Fiesta Gardens and San Mateo Village residents, it seems like the facility is well located near the entrance and exit of Highway 101 and traffic should be minimally impacted. And, the facility will only be open from 8am to 5pm through the week, which is when most are at work.
Not the W Hotel, but Probably More Practical
Of the 40,000 San Mateo County residents who have Kaiser health insurance, this facility will prove to be a much more valued addition to the City of San Mateo than the W Hotel would have (though our out of town guests would probably disagree!). Because there are no emergency services at this site and the facility is located near 101′s entrance and exit, impact on the community should be minimal. I, for one, will be happy not to have to drive to Redwood City to see the doctor or pick up a prescription, even if it is only a few times a year!
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Raymond Stoklosa, Chela Stoklosa and Rebecca Williamson are Realtors with The RayChel Realty Group specializing in Santa Clara and San Mateo Real Estate.
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Raymond Stoklosa, Broker/Co-Owner
Chela Stoklosa, Realtor/Co-Owner
