Update: the application deadline has been extended to 5pm, Wednesday, October 12th, 2011.

The San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) is now accepting applications for participation in the Grand Boulevard Initiative’s Economic and Housing Opportunities (ECHO) Assessment - Phase II.

The ECHO Phase II Case Studies build upon ECHO Phase I (completed in December 2010) and are part of the Grand Boulevard Initiative’s “Removing Barriers to Sustainable Communities” project funded by a Department of Transportation (DOT) TIGER II Planning grant and local support.  The ECHO Phase II Case Studies will address development scenarios and potential barriers, assess urban design strategies to achieve revitalization and redevelopment, and analyze multimodal access and circulation.  The intent of the ECHO Phase II Case Studies is to create a common basis for understanding the effects of corridor-wide development patterns and streetscape enhancements and to develop corridor guidance for cities that address the “how to” of implementation.

Cities in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties that include El Camino Real (or Mission Street and The Alameda) are eligible to apply.

Applications are due no later than 5pm, Wednesday, October 12th, 2011.

Click here to view the ECHO Phase II Call for Projects

Click here for more information on ECHO Phases I and II

This article provides a summary of the "El Camino Real: Can planners take the high road?" article, listed below.  Follow the link below to read this summary.

http://www.planetizen.com/node/50812

This article, featured on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle on Sunday, August 7th, discusses the Grand Boulevard Initiative and the urban design elements on El Camino Real.  Follow the link below to read this recent article.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/07/MNO01KJEEM.DTL

A summary of this article is also available at:  http://www.planetizen.com/node/50812

Funding for new bicycle and car sharing programs in the Peninsula was just approved.  The bicycle program will put 100 bike kiosks along the Peninsula, providing over 1,000 bikes to the public.  The car share program will provide carpool and vanpool opportunities, including electric and hybrid rideshare cars for public use at the Redwood City Caltrain Station and two other pending locations.  Follow the link below to read this recent article.

http://menlopark.patch.com/articles/bike-and-car-share-programs-coming-to-peninsula