Measure P Campaigns Raised $500,000 in Menlo Park

Campaigns for and against the downtown parking plaza measure have collected a combined half-million dollars.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a geometric top-down pattern of city plaza paving stones, representing municipal land-use policy. — Competing campaigns in Menlo Park have raised $500,000 for and against Measure P, a ballot initiative requiring voter approval for development on downtown parking plazas. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should residents have the final say on local city land-use and housing development plans?

Competing campaigns in Menlo Park have raised a total of $500,000 regarding Measure P. The ballot initiative mandates voter approval for developing public housing on downtown parking plazas.

Why it matters

The outcome of the vote will determine the city's authority to sell, trade, lease, or reduce parking on designated downtown plazas. Residents will decide whether to maintain local control over these specific parking assets.

Campaigns for and against Measure P raised $500,000 in total, with the opposition securing $300,000 and supporters collecting $200,000. The measure requires a simple majority vote to pass.

The players

Grove Action Fund

This organization is an active participant in local policy debates and donated $20,000 to the No on Measure P campaign.

MidPen Housing Corporation

This is a regional nonprofit developer that contributed $5,000 to the No on Measure P campaign.

The details

Measure P requires voter approval for any sale, trade, lease, or parking reduction on downtown plazas, effectively mandating public consent for public housing projects in those areas. The No campaign received significant contributions including $20,000 from the Grove Action Fund and $5,000 from the MidPen Housing Corporation.

Ballots for the general election will be mailed on October 5, 2026.
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

Political Context

The opposition to Measure P is supported by housing advocacy organizations that frequently challenge local land-use restrictions. This reflects a broader tension between municipal control of parking assets and regional efforts to increase housing density on public land.

Residents should expect to see ballots arrive by mail beginning October 5. The election result will directly impact future development potential for downtown parking plazas and the availability of parking in the city center.

The takeaway

Voters should review the specific language of Measure P to understand how it limits city council discretion over public land. Careful consideration of both campaign platforms is necessary before marking ballots in the November 3 election.