BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ
Daily Post Staff Writer
A nonprofit is looking to revamp Lytton Plaza, where Palo Altans have expressed concerns about drug dealing.
The Friends of Palo Alto Parks plans to take action next year to increase the plaza’s popularity.
The goal is to get more people to eat lunch and host more concerts, said Jeny Smith, president of the Friends of the Palo Alto Parks board.
Recently, the plaza hosted a Christmas tree lighting event, and many residents attended with hot chocolate in hand, Smith said. The Friends group would like to see that level of attendance at other Lytton Plaza events.
City Council had a discussion in August 2024 about how to improve downtown to help property owners and businesses. During that discussion, Councilman Pat Burt said the drug dealing at Lytton Plaza needs to be addressed since it has a detrimental effect on the community.
Two men passed out at the same time at the plaza in 2023 after taking opioids. Resident Jean Paul Coupal said in a previous interview with the Post that Lytton Plaza had become a “drug haven.”
The board is in the early stages of planning, but has expressed interest in upgrading benches and tables and making the parking lot less visible to enhance the plaza’s aesthetic appeal, Friends of Palo Alto Parks board member Roger Smith said.
The board wants more residents and visitors to want to hang out at the plaza and make it more friendly, Roger Smith said.
Roger Smith said he would also like to see the plaza include a space for children to play.
No official plans have been made yet, but the board will be discussing it further next year, Jeny Smith said.
The plaza was redone in 2009 after looking essentially the same since it was developed in the 1960s by the Lytton Savings and Loan company, whose offices were across the street. It was eventually acquired by the city and became the site of historic protests against the Vietnam War as well as a space for concerts, poetry readings and other events.
Have a law enforcement booth there.
Yep
No one wants to hang out there and bring their children when they have to co-exist with erratic, drug-addicted homeless people who smell bad. The city of Palo Alto refuses to address the obvious problems in downtown and pays lip service to making downtown more enjoyable for residents.