Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 11/20/1995 All articles from this issue

Los Altos buys KFC at 400 Main St.

printer friendly version

By Joanne Griffith Domingue / Town Crier Staff Writer

The city does not plan to go into the chicken business, but Los Altos City Council members did vote unanimously to buy the Kentucky Fried Chicken building for $400,000 at their Nov. 14 council meeting.

Instead, council members and city staff see the purchase of the 400 Main St. property as an opportunity to improve the appearance of the entrance to downtown, said Bruce Bane, Los Altos director of public works.

The city recently bought the land surrounding the KFC building, part of which is used for city parking and part of which is Nielson's Cleaners.

By purchasing the KFC building, the city will own the entire corner and be able to plan long-term development of the property.

Council member Marge Bruno said she thought it was a wonderful opportunity for the city to buy the KFC site.

The lease for the cleaners extends to 2001 so city development of the property would probably not occur until then.

Planners envision creating a sense of entry into town which would act as a landmark for motorists along Foothill Boulevard and might include a clock tower, fountain, plaza, landscaping.

Bane presented two possible "dream" designs of things which could be considered for the property to give an idea of what might be possible.

Plan A showed both buildings removed, KFC and Nielson's Cleaners, with half the KFC cite landscaped to enhance the Main Street entrance to downtown. The rest of the land was paved for 101 parking stalls.

Plan B considered a joint public/private use of the land with retail shops at ground level on First Street, condominiums above the shops, and the KFC portion landscaped. Parking would be ground level, second floor, and below grade parking for employees.

To buy the KFC building, the city staff recommended using funds reserved in the park acquisition development account of the community improvement reserve fund, Bane said in his staff report. The balance in the account is $1,989,000.

Escrow is scheduled to close June 30, 1996. If the city is then able to lease the building to a tenant, lease revenue could replace the capital spent.

Meanwhile, the city repaved the current parking lot behind KFC so additional parking will be available for holiday shoppers.