Bespoke

Carpenters Local 217 representative who fully supported the project, citing affordable housing and a responsible union general contractor creating living-wage jobs and apprenticeships.

Carpenters Local 217 field rep who supported the project for good-paying local construction jobs and much-needed housing.

A Belmont carpenter who credited union work with supporting his family and asked the council to approve the project and keep work local.

IBEW Local 617 member who supported the housing goals but urged the developer to sign a community workforce agreement with local mechanical trades.

An IBEW electrical apprentice and daughter of a local electrician who asked the council to push the developer to invest in local apprentices.

Supported the project for its downtown benefits, affordable housing, and Self-Help for the Elderly space, while urging the developer to avoid past mistakes and leave the pedestrian mall alone.

Self-Help for the Elderly board member who brought seniors to the meeting and emphasized the importance of a permanent downtown home for senior services.

Sprinkler Fitters representative who urged continued negotiations with Prometheus and Harvest to secure broader union participation, questioning claims that union labor costs more on prevailing-wage projects.

A first-time speaker and union apprentice who hoped to work on the project and praised his fellow apprentices.

Former council member speaking for the Housing Action Coalition and himself, supporting the project for affordable housing, transit orientation, sustainability, and union jobs.

Housing Action Coalition representative who strongly supported approval, emphasizing 71 affordable homes and the developer's financial commitments.

UA Local 467 representative who said his union would otherwise support the project but urged stronger local skilled-trades and apprenticeship participation.

A 40-year resident who supported approval, citing climate benefits and deeply affordable housing.

A 35-year San Mateo resident and IBW 617 member urged the commission to send a message that the developer should hire the local construction workforce.

An IBEW apprentice said projects like this gave her a career, and asked the developer to hire local apprentices rather than an outside workforce.

A Self-Help advisory board member described the organization's senior meal and social services and thanked the commission for securing its permanent downtown home.

A plumbers' union rep said the project should have secured agreements with the mechanical crafts, calling it a missed opportunity despite prevailing wage.

A carpenters' union rep voiced full support, citing dignified union jobs, apprenticeships, and the affordable housing.

A carpenters' union field rep supported the project, saying it uses a responsible general contractor with good wages, benefits, and apprenticeships.

A sheet metal workers rep said he'd love to support the project but urged the developer to reach an agreement with the MEPs trades unions.

Spoke in support, crediting prevailing wage standards with supporting his family and enabling his wife to stay home.

Raised concerns about Fifth Avenue bike lane conversion displacing parking, construction truck traffic, and argued 137 spaces is inadequate for the project's demand.

Housing Action Coalition rep urged approval, citing the $9.4 million developer equity, $6.5 million backstop, and risk of delay to 71 affordable homes.