In his own words:
I am an artist and music composer with a background in library science and museum studies. I completed a Master’s thesis in musical instrument history. At one point, I lived in Washington, D.C., where you can either work for the Smithsonian or the Library of Congress, but not both. I said, “Forget that, I’m going work for both!”
I had so much fun working in library science, but I faced a serious illness and eventually had to come back to California as I grew sicker and sicker. At one point I lived in an apartment building in Redwood City. Then that building was sold, and my rent would have doubled—it would have gone up to 120% of my income. And as a cancer survivor on a fixed income, I was at risk of losing my home.
So I moved into the old Gateway Apartments, and when that was torn down to make way for Sequoia Belle Haven, I moved over to an apartment on the site of what became the new Gateway Rising. While this place was being constructed, other residents and I relocated to temporary housing in a troublesome apartment building in East Palo Alto.
Due to COVID complications, construction took longer than expected, but it was worth the wait. The thing that impressed me most was that the move was effortless. I know that was not an easy task to move all of us, and MidPen did it absolutely wonderfully.
I moved into my new home at Gateway Rising in 2023, and I love the place! My apartment is fabulous, with a great kitchen (I’m a cook). The place is quiet, warm during the winter, and cool during the summer. I have space for my bicycle, a gym to work out in, and the maintenance guys are good. I want to thank the architects not just for designing a fabulous building, but for asking residents early on: “What do you need?”
Since I moved here, my stress level has gone down significantly. I’m seeing positive changes in my health. People here look out for each other. This community feels safer than before. Thank you to everyone who had a role in making this place a reality. I don’t expect to move ever again. This is my home. I’m happy here, and I never want to leave.