East Palo Alto residents Shape a Vision for 2035
- David Rages
- Sep 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 16
“What do you want East Palo Alto’s economy to look like in 2035?”
That question anchored the City of East Palo Alto’s community workshop where residents gathered to discuss East Palo Alto’s economic future as part of the city’s Economic Development Strategic Plan.
The meeting was led by HR&A Advisors, real estate and economic development consultants, who were accompanied by East Palo Alto city staff members.
In his opening remarks Joey Goldman, who works for Kearns & West, an HR&A engagement subconsultant, stressed that the process of bringing the community together in the workshop was a tremendous opportunity for EPA's economic future. City Manager Melvin Gaines called economic development “the life blood of the community.”*
Councilmembers Mark Dinan and Ruben Abrica joined residents in the discussion, while Judith Taylor of HR&A described how her team has guided similar planning efforts in Richmond and Sacramento with community collaboration.
Prior Interviews: What Residents Said
During the workshop, Vidya Bhamidi, also with Kearns & West, presented findings from interviews conducted at East Palo Alto’s Juneteenth celebration earlier this year. When asked about community needs, residents highlighted:
Housing as the most pressing concern.
A desire for more nightlife, local stores, and parks.
Safer, more walkable and bikeable streets.
Relief from the heavy traffic congestion tied to the Dumbarton Bridge commute.
The items residents highlighted underscore the connection between everyday quality-of-life issues and the city’s broader economic health.
Looking Ahead to 2035
After the presentation, participants broke into small groups—one Spanish-speaking and two English-speaking tables—where they were asked to imagine East Palo Alto in 2035. Their responses painted a hopeful picture:
In 2035, EPA’s local businesses are…
Filling vacant lots.
A mix of small, diverse, and community-owned enterprises.
Anchored by department stores and a true grocery option.
Providing brick-and-mortar opportunities and living-wage jobs for EPA residents.
In 2035, EPA’s local economy is…
Thriving, strong, and diverse.
Driven by community members.
Resilient enough to provide services for residents.
In 2035, EPA’s residents have the opportunity to…
Eat healthy.
Access equity and opportunity.
Work locally at living-wage jobs.
Goals and Strategies for Growth
The workshop also introduced three strategic goals and asked residents to rank their top strategies within each:
Goal 1: Boost Homegrown Businesses and Entrepreneurs
Streamline the business permit process.
Launch a “Shop Local” campaign.
Provide grants for small businesses.
Establish a one-stop business resource center.
Partner with schools and colleges to create internships.
Goal 2: Attract Businesses and Private Investment
Identify industries EPA should target.
Encourage employers to hire local residents.
Offer tours to potential relocating businesses.
Develop job training programs.
Expand childcare options for working families.
Goal 3: Make EPA Investment Ready
HR&A’s findings stress the importance of infrastructure improvements, clearer zoning, and an easier path for business licensing to make EPA competitive for investment.
During the workshop, HR&A offered a QR code to allow participants to access the PDF of the East Palo Alto Economic Development Strategic Plan. Some of the slides in the PDF were used during the presentation.
A Community at a Crossroads
East Palo Alto is a city of small businesses, with more than 80% employing fewer than 10 people. While big-box anchors like IKEA, Home Depot and Amazon Web Services generate substantial revenue, the community wants future growth to prioritize local entrepreneurship and living-wage opportunities.
As residents made clear, the path forward is not just about attracting outside businesses but about building an economy by and for the East Palo community.
*The above article was updated on 9/16/2025 to add Kearns & West to Joey Goldman and Vidya Hamidi's connection to HR&A Advisors.
**************
Please click on the box below and make a donation. Whatever amount you give will enable us to "Keep Community Media Alive!"
Comments