By Clyde Noel

Abby Veeser, the economic development coordinator for Los Altos, is finding her way around the seven business areas attending meetings and working to promote the economic climate of the city. It’s not an easy job.

Space Station Los Altos, the list of available business properties in Los Altos, is five pages long and growing. Veeser’s concern is not filling the empty retail and office spaces, but retaining the businesses already in Los Altos.

“Keeping the business in the city is important because we are operating at same city level of income as we did in 1998,” Veeser said. “Not having an economic development coordinator for a lengthy time resulted in a lot of previous work falling through the cracks.”

Since Veeser has been here, there has been increased activity for companies inquiring about moving into the city. She has had discussions with five companies inquiring about space. Most of the companies were looking for larger spaces for retail. Los Altos average retail space is about 1,500 square feet.

A native of Memphis, Tenn., Veeser came to Stanford University for her graduate work and eventually received an Master’s from Berkeley. In addition to her economic development coordinator duties she works half time as a managing analyst for the city administration.

“I like the size of Los Altos. Working in city government provides an opportunity to see what you have accomplished and you get to know the merchants and people in the Chamber of Commerce.”

Veeser works with the Los Altos Village Association (LAVA) and the Chamber of Commerce on related issues. Earlier this month she discussed commercial beautification at the chamber meeting and received numerous complaints about city issues.

The early morning Feb 3 economic development committee meeting resulted in a concern that the downtown area around Second and Main streets is becoming unsightly.

It was suggested to add trashcans at Starbuck’s corner to relieve the loose trash floating around. The city should contact the property owners directly regarding trashcans and have more garbage pick-up on the weekends. There should be better maintenance around the benches and landscape in the area.

The recycle bins throughout the city are an eyesore. They are not emptied on time and junk is thrown around instead of inside the bins.

The suggestion was made that trash compacters for businesses to share should be looked at again.

For general issues, the city should apply public pressure to business property owners to improve their properties. The Chamber should do something to recognize good work by business owners in terms of maintenance. Also LAVA should restore the “Don’t let it fall program” again.

City Manager Phil Rose was asked to look into a downtown business improvement area or district that could generate a business tax for improved street maintenance. The business district would add an additional layer of service to what the city currently provides.

Veeser prepared notes from the meeting and presented them as potential financial impacts to the city as a result of discussion by chamber members.