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First Glossy Arrival!

The first glossy campaign literature has hit our mailboxes – something about Safeway, parking and auto row. Yuck!

– Written by Fiona

Posted in

112 responses to “First Glossy Arrival!”

  1. Opine

    Just some context around auto-row for folks: After occupancy taxes from the bayfront hotels, auto dealers are the next largest contributor to our city’s revenues, contributing I believe, some 40% of sales taxes collected by the city. Expansion of auto dealerships to the North End (as laid out in the just-completed North End Specific Plan) is certainly desired, but the worst case scenario for Burlingame would be to lose even a single auto dealer from our town. To address both our revenue needs and downtown experience, let’s either define what we want auto-row to look like and/or create significant incentives for the auto dealers to move to the North End, while guaranteeing that they stay within our city limits.

  2. Brian

    Condon had his kick off party at Crosby Commons. The same place where Mike Coffey and Mary Janney had their’s two years ago. How original!! Saw the photos on his web-site. Your right Frank, a bunch of tired looking burlingame dinosauers. Not a forward thinking one in the whole bunch. Can’t believe Condon thinks these people are a great symbol on his web-site but he is entitled to do so. This tells me that he likes what “they” represent and we now know where Condon is coming from – old school.

  3. Anonymous

    OK – maybe someone can explain something to me about the auto dealerships: Why is it that they seem to go out of their way to look over-the-top gaudy/tasteless? Is this really good for their business? Do people who frequent restaurant, stores, entertainment establishments, etc which strive for a tasteful image then turn around and look for the exact opposite in a car dealership? What gives? Is buying a car thought to be an impulse purchase, where someone driving past will look at the tinsel/balloons, notice a 1999 Civic, and go in a buy it? Help me out here…

  4. Jenn

    Interesting comments about auto row from Opine and Ian. I agree with goals needing to be defined. I would even argue that the “hokey” 50’s car lot look could be made into something redeeming, if done well. More trees, less tinsel, please! Maybe it’s supposed to scare away the birds from pooping on cars? Perhaps it’s time for some of those attractive banners that hang from nice light posts; ‘ much be more elegant. It all costs money, but would be well-spent. This is what DBID was for, but we all know what happened to that.

  5. Anonymous

    The Beautification Commission asked one local auto shop to replant the “missing” trees which disappeared from their lot. Think it was five trees? Did they ever plant these? Or are the elusive trees still “missing”?

    Seems the egg hatchers have been allowed to bring in the bucks but not “beautify” their part of town. Maybe it is time to have an AUBID – as in Auto Row Business Improvement District. Perhaps Fred can be President?

  6. Raymond

    Thanks to the Burlingame Voice I am getting an education on the politics in Burlingame. Who is Gene Condon? I have not heard his name before, what has he done and is he new to town?

  7. fred

    Rich, it’s the Mystery Spot not Mystery House. I checked my big yellow bumper sticker for the facts.

    Fiona, I’m too busy running for president of “business owners fleeing Bulringame”.

  8. fred

    “Burlingame” – sorry too many drinks at the charter meeting last night.

  9. Anonymous

    So, Fred, are the auto people really moving out of Burlingame? Perhaps you should become AUBID President to find ways to “beautify” auto row and continue laying those eggs.

    Come on, Fred, its a challenge!

  10. eric

    Rich Grogan, did you prefer the look of the Acura building when it was Bekins Storage and Moving? The old green and white building was a true eyesore. The auto dealer improved the building drastically.

  11. Anonymous

    I dread to think what it looked like back then. The present building is ugly and coupled with the blinking Las Vegas tasteless sign, double ugly.

    But maybe in 30 years the two will become “historic” and part of Burlingame’s “historic” past. I think I am kidding but but probably not!

  12. Jenn

    I’ve just noticed a really nice building on Rollins. It’s the Sub-Zero building; on the West side of the street, not far from Millbrae Avenue, but it is in Burlingame. It is very sleek and modern, with beautiful proportions and interesting play of solid black areas and gleaming steel framing. There are lovely canary palms lining the front setback. If anyone knows who the architect is, or if that building was a remodel or a start fresh, I’d be interested to know. Did it go through Burlingame’s design review?

  13. Sean

    Having worked in the car business for about 10 years, I’m really grateful for Burlingame’s Auto Row; I lived very close to my job and I made a lot of money. Never once did I lose a deal because of a lack of trees in the parking lot. Ian, I guess you’ve never been to Joe Putnam’s ranch or on Kent’s yacht because, evidently, over-the-top gaudy/tasteless? DOES pay off.

    Mr. Grogan, do you recall what the Mike Harvey Acura building looked like before its face-lift? As a kid I remember an ugly Bekins warehouse. And so what if there’s a Las Vegas? style sign out in front? It’s his business, not your! If you would rather greet Burlingame visitors with an Arc de Triumph, then buy some land and build one yourself. How would you like it if I had the authority to make you plant 35 new trees on your property at your expense? Or for that matter, make you do anything that you didn’t want to do? Why so many of you criticize an industry that brings SO MUCH money and business to this hamlet, I doubt I’ll ever know.

  14. PeeWee

    Sean, you evidently are only concerned about $$$ and don’t give a hoot about how anything looks. the blinking sign is sooo awful. looks like vegas. harvey got an exemption for this thing. and sean…..i laughed when you said that harvey brings lots of money to burlingame. how bout we provide a nice place for harvey to make his money. works both ways partner.

  15. Jenn

    This is a very strange arguement. If we have rules (which, by the way, none of us here made) about signage, trees, setbacks, size limits, etc. it is generally thought to be for the good of the whole community, because, Sean, none of us live in a bubble. I don’t know Mr. Putnam’s ranch or Kent’s yacht because they aren’t in my face. True, there is no accounting for taste, but at some very basic level, there is a need in every great city, for some unifying standards and qualities. Trees are a good start. If there is a rule or requirement for landscaping and trees in this city, then each homeowner and business owner should be required to follow it, not for themselves but for everyone else who inhabits the public space called Burlingame.

  16. Jenn

    PS. There are probably some Photoshop Meisters out there who are capable of “cloning” some trees into the southern end of California Drive and other areas strangely devoid of green. Similary, it would be a great exercise to see any street in Burlingame, visually stripped of it’s street greenery. I have done this in my head many times. It doesn’t take a genius to see that a big part of the attractiveness and wealth of this city is due to the greenery.

  17. Sean

    PeeWee, if I was only concerned about $$$? I would still be in the car business. Do you want to compare W-2’s and 1099’s? As far as how things look, what difference does it make? Let’s say I don’t like the Harvey sign, should he have to tear it down because of me? Oh, and I am glad you laughed at something I didn’t say; try re-reading my post.

    Would you please be so kind as to explain your comment: how bout we provide a nice place for Harvey to make his money.? First, who is we?? Second, what are we? supposed to provide?? Harvey, Putnam, et al seem to be doing just fine on there own. If they were not, they would go the way of Arata, Vogel, et al.

  18. Russ

    The point many here are making is that the auto business is important to Burlingame. In fact, many are suggesting that it is so important that they would like to see these dealers succeed to an even greater extent. That is preciscely why so many have suggested that locations along the freeway corridor in Burlingame would afford the dealers better visibility, bettr accessibility, hence a better chance at even more success. This point has been overshadowed by comments of anti growth, etc. There are many benefits to moving auto row from its current location to one where these businesses could achieve greater success. I can assure you, if they don’t do it, other dealers will. Burlingame will enjoy the benefits of auto dealerships one way or another-but if the current Burlingame dealers don’t open there minds to new areas of town, then other dealers will take advantage of the freeway local and we will lose the dealers along auto row and they will only have themselves to blame. If there are any “automen/woen” out there, you might want to atleast think about the possibility. Look what has happened in Palo Alto/Menlo Park.

  19. Sean

    Jenn, I suspect I love trees just as much as you do. But you and I don’t have the right to force everyone else to grow them. If you want more of them around you, do what my father did. He moved (retired) to a redwood forest about an hour south of Eureka. Trees everywhere! Too far away for you? Move to La Honda. Oh, and buy a lot of land. That way YOU will OWN all of the trees around you!

  20. fred

    Sean, you forgot to mention Shen, he ended up $20 million upside down and dead. Some of his dealerships are still sitting empty but they do have pretty trees in front of them. I believe they were before the car lots when it was the concrete and gravel co.

    For some reason the CBB members think they know what is best for these businesses. Rich said, ‘do yourself a favor and know the facts about Safeway, so when you speak (type) you will not embarrass yourself’

    Rich I don’t mean this in a bad or condescending way. I don’t know everything, who does? That is why discussion like we have here is good. But what do you guys know about running a grocery or auto business? How can you know all the nuances that go into running the business so that they last? I’m sure it is difficult enough without all this drama thrown in.

  21. Anonymous

    Sean, please read what I wrote. I did not make rules about trees, this City did, because it values trees. The city sidewalk belongs to the city, not you. 12 feet of my lot, is city setback. They have opted to place trees there. What is the issue with having trees in the business district, ie. Auto Row? A rule is a rule for everyone, or should Auto Row get special rights?

  22. Sean

    Russ, speaking from a decade of experience, most people buy a car from the dealership that gives them the best service or perception thereof. Location has very little to do with anything. If I am reading you post correctly, who is going to pay the tens of millions of dollars to relocate along the freeway?? Did you know that the building of that huge parking structure on California Drive alone put Arata out of business? The Putnam’s were able to buy it completed for a fraction of cost of building there own. So, who is going to pay for this huge project? The Putnam’s? The taxpayers?

  23. Sean

    Thank you, Fred, I almost forgot about the giant gravel hopper that used to be there. My car career began at Shen Infiniti (which was in San Mateo); that building was once the model Infiniti showroom. One of the reasons I left was because I knew a lot about what Michael Shen and Jon Shu were doing. Shen’s murder (and that of his mistress) was only a matter of time. I’m surprised no one’s killed Jon at least Michael was a nice man.

  24. Sean

    Now, Jenn, when did I ever suggest that I owned the sidewalk? If the city wants to plant trees in the sidewalk (like to ones in San Mateo in front of the old Shen dealerships) then the city can go right ahead and do it. My point is that just because you or I might like to see trees at car dealerships (I cannot believe that I have to explain this), does not mean that they should have to plant them. They sell cars cars tend to be displayed on pavement pavement, after all, is what cars most often drive on. A woodland scene might be nice for a Range Rover, not so good for a Cadillac. Tell me, Jenn, are the dealerships breaking a Burlingame law because they don’t have enough trees or are you just blowing smoke?

  25. Peewee

    Hey Sean, I bet Mike Harvey doesn’t have to put up with people test driving cars in his Hillsborough neighborhood every day. Try living around these dealerships sometime. It is surrounded by homes, childres, elderly trying to cross streets where idiots test all kinds of big and small cars. These lots don’t belong in residential hoods. But Mickey Harvey or Gene Condon don’t worry about that. They don’t live near them. It’s not in their back yard and they don’t seem to care about us.

  26. Andre

    That isn’t right. To say that either Mike Harvey or Joe Putnam do not care about the community or it’s residents is untrue. Both men have been in business in the area for decades and have contributed to greatly to the local community. Both through their businesses and charity.

  27. fred

    What about Gene Condon? Why on earth would you say he doesn’t care about the residents of Burlingame? I’ve seen some stretches but that is a peach!

    The test drives often go through Hillsborough and the freeways, I think they are actually discouraged from driving around the schools and in the area behind the dealerships.

  28. Sean

    Hey Peewee, what’s your point? If you don’t like where you live, then move. Is someone holding a gun to your head? Who is keeping you here against your will? Your post is nothing more than a rant. Stop crying and work if you want to improve your living condition. You too can buy a house that isn’t next to car dealership. Furthermore, Fred is correct. I used to take clients on test drives through Hillsborough all the time.

    I used to live (and work) on California Drive. I heard every train go by, heard every thumping car stereo, even heard a kid get hit by a car right in front of my place. I worked harder and harder and today I have a very nice house. In no small part due to the car business.

    By-the-way, I’m still hoping you’ll explain your earlier post.

  29. Anonymous

    Dear Fred, I can tell you that auto dealers continue to test drive cars East of the tracks. They also often get to the freeways and deliver vehicles using the same streets, even though they should be using main arteries like Peninsula which support higher speeds and wider loads. Transport and unloading of vehicles in the middle of Bayswater and Howard is also commonplace. It isn’t that these folks are trying to be rude, or set up a situation that is hazardous, it is just that they are doing what is the most convenient and quick for them and nobody has told them otherwise. These are training issues and corrections that (I think) should come from the top of those businesses, and be repeated often, so that when new employees come in, they immediately get used to the fact that there is a neighborhood and school there. If you are an auto dealer, and are actively discouraging your employees from this behaviour, I appreciate the effort.

  30. Anonymous

    Sean – I like the idea of a woodland scene selling a Cadillac!

  31. fred

    Fiona, nobody wants to buy a car with bird crap on it.

  32. Peewee

    Dear Sean, so you made money selling used cars on California Drive. So what. Everyone knows these guys are on the bottom of any kind of list where people “trust” them. They only care about selling the car. once your out the door adios amigo.

  33. fred

    That’s not true. A reputable auto business wants the customers for a lifetime. Repeat sales or service is a key to longevity in any business.

  34. Rich Grogan

    Sean
    Yes, I remember the storage building and yes it was even uglier than the Mike Harvey (MH) building. The MH make over is exactly what I fear with the Safeway project; no thought for the future. The MH building is here to stay and anyone going in or out of Burlingame on Broadway will have to look at that ugly building for years to come. It appears the make over did not take into consideration the long-range impact this building would have on the rest of the community. Personally I do not want the same thing to happen with the Safeway project. This project isn’t a single business decision; this is a community decision and should be carefully thought through. The sign is another example of a bad decision, we the residents of Burlingame, will have to live with the sign for years to come. This is, yet, another example of how an ill thought out decision by the powers-to-be will impact the City of Burlingame for years to come. This, too, is there to stay and we will have to live with it, unfortunately.

    Please do not attempt to say I do not think the auto businesses are not of value to Burlingame,because they are of importance. Gads, even Al Capone was a good contrubutor to his community. The point I am attempting to make is: the dealerships are not contributing to the visual charm and character of Burlingame. Personally, storefronts, vast areas of asphalt, balloons, and glittery banners detract from the character and charm of Burlingame.It wouldn’t hurt if the dealers attempted to make the dealerships look as though they were part of Burlingame, rather than a sub-division of Burlingame.

    You made a very interesting comment to PeeWee: Stop crying and work if you want to improve your living condition.? Well that is exactly what I, and others are attempting to do. We love Burlingame and we are working to maintain its charm and character.

    Fred
    Interesting you should ask about my knowledge about the grocery business and auto dealerships. My Uncle owned Lo Rays Market in Richmond and I worked there before going into and after getting out of the military. I was involved in the management end of the business. Ron Baker of the same name Chevrolet dealership in Los Gatos was a dear friend of mine for years. I also have friends at Moore Buick and Anderson Honda. They all have told me all sorts of stories how car dealerships wheel and deal (polite term for getting around the system).

    I know a can of olives cost X in the grocery business and you can either afford the can of olives or you cannot, but the grocery business doesn’t play games with the can between two separate customers. Car dealerships play games! If one person knows the numbers and knows what he/she wants it is up to the dealership to either take the offer or walk away from the offer. If a person is not aware of the numbers, that person will pay a lot more money for the same car the person, who knew the numbers will pay. Dealerships exploit a customers emotions and business ignorance.

  35. Anonymous

    Sean,

    Thanks for the insight – basically your point is “yes, many of the dealerships are ugly, but the owners have very big boats so nobody should question them”. Please enlighten me some more – does the owner of the Volvo showroom (who’s at least put some effort into making his business visually appealing) have a smaller boat than his tinsel-covered next-door neighbour? If he traded his grass and shrubs for some balloons would people buy more Volvos?

  36. Jenn

    Don’t know if Mike Musto owns, or just manages that Volvo dealership, but we’ve purchased two cars from that dealership, one directly from him in the past decade. I think he is still there, very nice, honest, man. A bit of green, no tinsel, popcorn machine is gone, though. Darn!

  37. Anonymous

    So what this whole debate boils down to is this: what’s the optimal balance between the interests of the business owner or building owner and those of the neighbours and the community at large? Some say any interference in the owner’s decisions is wrong and will drive the businesses out, while others maintain the community needs to have a veto over any major changes.

    I suspect that, as with many debates in the public realm these days, the vocal minorities at each end of the spectrum will take up most of the discussion space, while in reality what most people want is a reasonable compromise.

    What I would like to hear (and what I did not get from ‘the first glossy’ without a lot of reading between the lines) is for candidates for council to take a clear position on how they would strike this balance. Articulating clear stands on just a couple of the major issues in play these days (Safeway, non-auto businesses on Auto Row) would be a good start.

    Here’s a suggestion: what if the contributors to this forum put forward a series of specific questions, sent it out to each official candidate, and posted their responses here? Who wants to get the ball rolling?

  38. Andre

    That is Putnam Volvo the same owner as the other dealers and they have tinsel.

    Russ it has been asked a couple times now, how do you propose moving ten squareblocks north end of town? Who pays for this, who gets kicked out, what are the details? I think it would be impossible.

  39. Bruce

    Andre
    Get used to it, it’s typical of ppls here that wants this and that in our town, and how to improve…blah blah blah BUT, where’s da $$$???? Nobody KNOWS, except one thing they do well~ Bitching/complaint!

  40. fred

    It really is frustrating. I was confident I would be here running a business that some day I could pass onto my children. No longer confident – feeling extremely cautious. I keep batting around alternatives in my head I would never had considered before viewing this site and seeing what the future council of Burlingame is likely to do.

  41. Jenn

    I would hope that whatever the council looks like in the future, they will not make decisions based on one business sector, but on many.

  42. Raymond

    Wow, a lot of conversation. It seems the key to all of this is, it is how business owners interact with their neighbors. Wouldn’t it be nice to see business owners and their neighbors sit down and work out a compromise with conflicting issues.

  43. Anonymous

    Fred, I think your children will be fine unless we run out of gas and have to go back to the horse and buggy! Though it could bring back memories of Charles Howard (Buick mogul) riding down Burlingame Avenue on his horse!

    Great to see some good news on Burlingame Avenue. The very empty naked shop front next to Starbucks will soon have a new business because a modern furnishing/design shop will soon be opening.

    Now lets fill up some of those other sad vacant stores.

  44. fred

    Fiona, there are work orders on some of the buildings on the south Burlingame and a clothing store is moving into the garden center.

    Quote from Fiona – “There has been some discussion about the Shen property over on the San Mateo border. It is 3.1/2 acres and is on the market for $12 million. Guess there have been no takers so far?”

    Russ if the land for two dealerships costs $12 million how are you going to move ten dealerships north and build the buildings? It would be over a $100 million dollar endeavor?

    Burlingame has always had an light industrial area and an auto row. Does every inch of Burlingame have to exude the exact same charm as every other inch?

  45. Jenn

    Can I say something about that last question, Fred? I cannot speak for everyone here, there seems to be various points of view. Just for me, I think that people have differing standards for what they would term “charming.” For me, it doesn’t get down to specific elements. It has just to do with a “feeling” one gets about a place, or a house, or decorations, etc. etc. Very hard to quantify and I think most people would have a hard time pinning down exactly what that word means. For some, “charming” may really be “kitschy.” So, with that background, at least from my view, let’s look at a town that, I think, nearly everyone would agree “charming.” You’ve probably thought of it, already. It’s Carmel. Why is Carmel considered charming? Okay, first there is the setting that is fairly insular, and picture perfect. Then there are the buildings. Most, with the exception of the Mall at the top of Ocean, are similar in scale, but not necessarily all the same style. We go often, and I’ve studied the town a lot to try and find out what it is that is so special. If you look closely, there is quite a lot that is falling apart there, too. Some of the sidewalks and streets are in disrepair. There is also a mish-mash of various concrete and stonework, and bricks on the sidewalks. Nothing matches. Trees have uprooted many paths, and that’s okay by them. If you actually look at the houses, there are some beautiful ones that are either old, or built to look old, but there are also some extremely modern houses that some would probably normally consider to be unattractive. Still, the whole “picture” is of charm. I think the reason comes down to proportion, and letting the natural landscape dictate how a house will be built. They are not allowed to cut trees down, even smallish ones. Concrete for driveways is discouraged, they mainly use pea gravel. It is a very big deal. So, instead of houses that scream to be seen (though recently some have grown quite large in scale), the viewer mainly notices the greenery. The greenery softens everything around it, so that house “styles” become less of an issue, they are secondary to the landscape. It is because the house scale is mainly quite modest, particularly as compared with here. Also, no matter what shape a building in the business district is in, an effort has been made to have planters, and hanging planters virtually everywhere. So, you don’t look at the cracking stucco, or bad paint job, you look at the plants. This is a big undertaking, it means lots of watering, etc., because afterall, this is not Washington State where it rains constantly. So, I think that the common thread in that town is, indeed, the greenery and flowers. You can look past all the other brick-a-brack and sometimes 60’s awful hotels (yes, even there) because you probably only notice the flowers, the little flower lined paths in and out of stores with setbacks, and that is what stays in your head. It may sound simplified, but I think that is what does it. Okay, so what does that mean here? It doesn’t mean that Auto Row, no matter where it is, has to take down flags and everything else, because I think, in a certain context, that too, can be part of “charm”. But there is this missing link to our downtown, somehow. Auto Row could be practically anywhere USA. One goes from a fair amount of trees and plantings (I’d love more, but I’m not the mayor) to a strip of buildings that are quite large in scale (exception, of course if the Honda building that blends very nicely with the downtown, in style and scale). So there is no rule that California Drive must look “charming”, but if there are ways, inexpensive ways, to visually connect that area of auto and non-auto businesses to the downtown, then why not? Why not want to pull people over that way. Wouldn’t that help the auto people? The Putman building is pretty ugly. I don’t mean to offend anyone, but there isn’t much redeeming there. Particularly those Hummers tearing down the steps look menacing. However, some hanging flowers or greenery, awnings, something to pull the area together is, I think, something to strive for. I guess one could have the attitude of “why bother, I sell cars without flowers and without trees.” But I think that is a missed opportunity to create a more vital downtown., particularly if there is a mix of businesses there. Crossing from Christies over to Pez, etc., is pretty intimidating, so I think not a lot of people venture over there, who would, if it were safer, and there were things to see. I’m just not one to rest on my laurels. I think there is so much here that can be improved upon, and I don’t see it happening. By the way, are you sure that a clothing store will move into the Garden Center? I thought that would end up office space. In my dreams I had imagined the Center turning into an incredible restaurant and beer garden, like Europe., with live music, etc. But as Bruce says, where’s the money. If I had that kind of money, I would have hired the best chef around, and would have tried to make a go of it. Oh well, it was a dream.

  46. fred

    I reckon you can say something about that last question.

  47. Jenn

    Well, you get me going and there I go!

  48. Anonymous

    There have been many rumors about what is going into the Garden Center – everything from an up-market clothing store to a real estate business.

    I hope the new owners wont spoil it. You only have to look at the monstrosity next door to see a building that was “growthed” into a tasteless cheap nasty brick bunker. But the only good thing to come out of the bunker is that you appreciate the workmanship and charm of the Garden Center even more!

  49. fred

    Too bad it didn’t answer either question. I’m hoping Russ or someone will do that sometime.

  50. fred

    The Garden Center store is called Anthropology.

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