Stanford gets a green light for its cancer hospital that could be 10 stories tall

BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ
Daily Post Staff Writer

Redwood City Council has advanced Stanford’s plans for a new cancer center that could be as tall as 10 stories, despite objections from some residents who say it will disrupt the neighborhood.

The cancer center is planned on Stanford property between Bay Road and Broadway in the Friendly Acres neighborhood.

Monday’s decision by council means the project can move to the next stage. The center is scheduled to open in 2030.

Council members Isabella Chu, Jeff Gee and Chris Sturken recused themselves from voting. Chu and Sturken work for Stanford, and Gee works for Swinterton Builders, which has contracts with Stanford.

Stanford’s plans include three new parking locations, a clinic, a research building and a hospital up to 10 stories high.

Traffic concerns

Resident Mike Morris said the project will be a burden to the community.

Morris said he lives a half mile away from the project. He said roads in the area — Highway 101, Woodside Road, Broadway, Bay Road and Marsh Road — are already congested.

During Stanford’s open houses to introduce the project, residents’ concerns about traffic were left unanswered, according to Morris.

“This is the wrong neighborhood for such a massive project,” Morris said.

Stanford Government Affairs Representative Lucy Wicks said the university is committed to being a “good neighbor” and had organized a community advisory group to gather feedback on the project.

Cancer care boost

The project will add up to 200 clinic rooms and 320 inpatient beds to its campus, according to Rick Shumway, chief operating officer of Stanford Health Care. The cancer center will also help develop a cure for cancer, Shumway said.

Resident Jim Coffman said in a written comment to council that many residents are concerned about losing street parking.

“I hope you can do your best to minimize the disruption and protect the residents and business owners living and working in the area now and once the project is finished,” Coffman wrote.

Mayor Elmer Martinez Saballos said a project like this needs to work for the community. Councilwoman Marcella Padilla said she has family members living near the project, and if it is done right, it would be something wonderful.

Stanford anticipates submitting final plans and environmental impact tests in early 2027.