Nov 7, 2006

City studies aging boomers

Officials: Pressing issues are housing, transportation

By Kristina Peterson

Baby boomer Steve Pierce knows exactly what he wants to see in Palo Alto as he ages.

"This city needs more real barbecue," he said, scoffing at the reminder of an existing establishment on El Camino Real. "We're not that mobile -- we need one right here," he said.

Though a joke, Pierce's comment touched on one of the dominant themes of a study session held Monday night on the impacts of the aging baby boomer population on the city's social and community services.

"The No. 1 issue is transportation. People want to remain mobile," said Richard James, director of community services for the city and co-author of a report presented to the City Council with Lisa Hendrickson, CEO of Avenidas, an "older adult center," in Palo Alto.

By the year 2030, the city's senior population might number 36,000, Hendrickson said. At the time of the 2000 Census, approximately 17,000 residents were over the age of 55.

Though aging, the baby boomers are eager to preserve their energetic lifestyles, Hendrickson said. In data collected at a community brainstorming session and through a survey of 323 boomers, social and leisure activities were high on the list of their priorities.

James said that many residents polled named libraries, intergenerational centers, and continuing education courses as desirable areas of expansion.

"Libraries are not just places of books; they are places of social interactions," commented Council Member Jack Morton.

But in accommodating its senior population, the city may face serious logistical problems if loyal Palo Altans all elect to stay in the city. James said that 80 percent of boomers plan on remaining in Palo Alto.

"This doesn't allow new families to move into an already built-out city," James said.

"There may be nobody following us because we won't have room for them," Council Member Bern Beecham said. He pointed out that only those residents who owned their homes would likely be able to afford to stay in Palo Alto.

For those wanting to downsize to a smaller home, Council Member Dena Mossar stressed the need for "relatively affordable alternatives to the homes people are living in today."

Other council members suggested planning future senior-oriented housing near mass transit hubs.

When asked what they plan to do with their free time later in life, many boomers expressed interest in volunteer and part-time work, forecasting a labor force that Mayor Judy Kleinberg said she thought the city should harness.

"Fifty percent of city staff is eligible to retire right now. We should think about recycling some really good people into city government," she said.

James said he would continue to circulate the report to all relevant commissions.

E-mail Kristina Peterson at kpeterson@dailynewsgroup.com.