Burlingame Avenue Gets $16 Million Facelift

One of the Peninsula's notable shopping and dining avenues is about to get a $16 million makeover.

Construction work to renovate four central blocks of Burlingame Avenue between El Camino Real and California Drive was set to begin Monday night, Public Works Director Syed Murtuza said at a groundbreaking ceremony Monday.

The Burlingame Avenue Improvement Project, which has been in the planning phase since 2011, includes widening sidewalks from 10 to 16 feet, planting new trees, installing streetlights with hanging flower baskets, and replacing 100-year-old water and sewer lines.

According to planners, wider sidewalks will create a safer environment for pedestrians and encourage more outdoor dining, café seating, walking and landscaping.

The avenue will also be getting new benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, newspaper corrals, tree grates, and parking meters that take credit cards.

Burlingame Mayor Ann Keighran called the renovation project a much-needed investment if the neighborhood expected to continue to attract people to shop and eat in downtown Burlingame, and lure new businesses and private investment.

"There haven't been any upgrades to the street since the early 1970's," Keighran said.

"This project will help ensure that Burlingame Avenue will continue to be a draw," she said.

The improvement project is expected to last between 16 and 20 months and is being paid for by a combination of parking meter rates, gas taxes, investments from property owners and various grants, Keighran said.

Construction will take place 24 hours a day to expedite the project and minimize the impact on businesses along the avenue, all of which were expected to remain open during construction. Most work on underground utilities will take place at night.

Detours and narrower pedestrian walkways will be in effect during construction. Keighran said construction will at times be a "painful process," but assured residents that the end result will be well worth the time and investment.

"We are all going to have a lovely Burlingame Avenue," she said.

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