By Editorial

In a surprise announcement this week, Packard Foundation officials revealed that they hired a professional commercial real estate consultant to recommend alternative sites for their headquarters.

Meanwhile, the foundation is in the midst of making consolidation plans. Although its plans remain vague at this point, they appear to center on retention of their 300 Second Street offices and construction of a new building replacing a strip of offices along Second to San Antonio Road. The foundation, which leases or owns several properties throughout Los Altos, plans to leave its properties away from Second Street in favor of a centralized location.

A small group of residents recently voiced concern about the presence of the Packard Foundation here in town. We wonder if they’re looking at the big picture. The foundation’s location and commitment to centralizing their campus can only mean good things for the reputation of the downtown and the overall community.

The foundation is nonprofit, not corporate, although it is understandably often linked to Hewlett-Packard. The foundation, with its tremendous resources, is involved in myriad humanitarian projects all over the world. The loss of retail the opposition group fears is actually a loss of office space along the Second Street corridor, not one of the busiest downtown areas. Any property tax loss from this nonprofit is made up by its employees frequenting downtown restaurants and other establishments.

The foundation has given millions to Los Altos nonprofits. It is simply because the foundation is here.

We sense the unhappiness still emanating from ownership decisions to sell Spa and Reach facilities to Packard. Since desires for downtown fitness centers remain strong, perhaps Packard could consider a small gym as part of its plans, one that could be run through a reputable organization such as the YMCA.

Because the foundation has quietly gone about its business, its approach has come off as secretive in some eyes. The recent dissension comes from a lack of knowledge about Packard’s intentions.

We urge the foundation to be more communicative with the city council and local media about its efforts. We submit that having a strong dialogue with the community will be the best for everyone.

We think the possibility of Packard leaving is unthinkable. With 170 staffers frequenting downtown establishments daily, they continually prove themselves contributors.