Seems to me like the area by Central Avenue and Moffett Boulevard would be a great place to expand downtown Mountain View. The neighborhood is just north of Castro Street with easy access to and from the train station, parking lots and garages, shops, offices, residential areas, etc. Currently, the area is populated by liquor stores, struggling businesses, empty buildings, etc. and looks to be ripe for redevelopment.

The southern end of downtown Castro Street across El Camino has been successfully extended with the new Peet's Coffee and other up-and-coming businesses.

Has there ever been any thought by the city of expanding downtown northward? Perhaps long-range expansion plans could include construction of pedestrian walkways that make it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross both Central Avenue and El Camino Real.

Regarding Cynthia Schuman's Letter: "Not Another Liquor Store at Moffett, Central"

I'm surprised the Voice printed this rather hateful letter. I was friends with the owners of Moffett Liquors. Having moved to the United States several years ago, this couple worked extremely long hours and have two children they are putting through college. If you visit their store you can even donate towards the building of a new church in their home country.

Ms. Schuman must have a different sense of community than I. It's sad that a business establishment that gives a family the means to create a future is denigrated in such a manner. Besides, the Voice is not really the forum for such a complaint. Ms. Schuman should speak with her city council representative to air her grievances. While we'd all like to have a Peet's or Whole Foods down the street, there is a place for a Mom and Pop store. They have just as much a right to a business as the "useful" ones Schuman so fervently desires.