Train station relocation will not happen

A Burlingame auto dealer who suggested combining two train depots into one conceded yesterday that merchants on Broadway and Burlingame Avenue would never let it happen.

"I guess my proposal is fraught with problems," Mike Harvey said yesterday.

The auto dealer owns Mike Harvey Acura on Broadway and Mike Harvey Honda near Burlingame Avenue.

His company also leases space from Caltrain to store cars and he is miffed the transit agency didn't contact him about proposals to upgrade the two train stations that may include taking back land Harvey uses.

But Caltrain spokeswoman Janet McGovern said last night it is not a certainty Harvey will have to give up any space.

"It's the beginning stages of the design. We don't know what we are doing yet," McGovern said.

She did, however, say any land the agency owns is reserved for transit use.

As part of a $6.9 million project, the center platform at the two stations will be eliminated, and a fence will be installed between the tracks. Caltrain said this will allow crossing gate down time to be greatly reduced as well as adding a level of safety.

At the Broadway station, Caltrain proposes to move the northbound stop to the north of Broadway while keeping the southbound spot where it is. That would eliminate the need to block traffic on busy Broadway as often.

"A lot of people have an interest and a stake in our plan. We are perfectly happy to talk to Mike Harvey or anyone about concerns," McGovern said.

Caltrain held two public meetings on July 29 and Aug. 3 and will bring a proposal to Burlingame city staff in September.

Harvey characterized Caltrain's plans as "goofy."

"I think for the long term merchants in those business districts need to really think about combining those stations," Harvey said. "It would help greatly reduce traffic backups on Broadway."

Manal Arikat, manager at the Jewelry Exchange on Broadway, said it would be a bad idea to move the station but admits the traffic backup is awful, especially in the afternoon.

"We need free access to the freeway. The trains come every 10 minutes in the afternoon. They should think about putting an overpass or underpass there," she said. "Commerce will pick up on Broadway and the city needs to think about traffic."

Bob Gorman at Weimax Liquors supports Caltrain's plan to move the northbound spot to just across Mike Harvey's Acura dealership.

"The north pickup shuts down traffic when it doesn't have to," Gorman said.

David Elmashni, a worker at the Incredible Edible Deli on Broadway, said Harvey should at least get an audience with Caltrain because of the jobs and revenue he created for Burlingame.

"They have to listen to him. But I don't think moving the station is the answer," Elmashni said.

Over at the Pez Museum on California Drive, Gary Doss said no merchant on Burlingame Avenue would want the depot moved.

"It's so convenient now. The shoppers can get off the train and there's the shopping," Doss said. "Besides, Caltrain features the Pez Museum as a notable place to visit on its Web site. I don't want it to move."

Once Caltrain is finished with its upgrade plan, however, Harvey said people will by disappointed.

"There will be a human cry," he said, "once people see what they end up with."