Item No. 1
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – STUDY SESSION
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
DATE: MAY 6, 2026
SUBJECT: ATHERTON TRAIN STATION MUSEUM RIBBON CUTTING
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council review and provide direction regarding the Atherton Train Station Museum Ribbon Cutting.
BACKGROUND
The Atherton Train Station Museum is nearing completion, with the majority of project components now finished. The following museum elements have been completed:
• Building Restoration and Renovation
• Construction of Train Station Dioramas
• Purchase and installation of Train Models
• Installation of Train and Town History Video Platform • Installation of "Atherton" Wood Signage
• Installation of External Display Case Images (these will be updated to foamcore) • Renovation of the Exterior Caltrain Station Sign
• Installation of Recognition and Dedication Plaques
• Installation of Train Display Era Timeline Dates
Two remaining components are currently in progress. The vertical display panels have completed design and have moved into production. Production and installation are anticipated to be completed by late May. The horizontal display panels remain in the design phase. Upon design completion, the panels will move to production, with an estimated three-week production and installation timeline following design approval.
Partial museum completion is expected in late May. Full completion is expected in mid- to lateJune, depending on the pace of the horizontal display panel design.
Staff and the Train Station Subcommittee (Vice Mayor Rick DeGolia and former Councilmember Diana Hawkins-Manuelian) seek Council feedback on three issues: expected level of completeness before ribbon cutting; date of ribbon cutting; and scale of ribbon cutting event.
Atherton Train Station Museum
MAY 6, 2026
ANALYSIS
Expected Level of Completeness
There are primarily two major components that remain incomplete – the vertical and horizontal interpretative panels. The design of the vertical panels is complete and are moving to production.
The panels should be installed by late May. The vertical panels will be displayed at the north end of the Train Station as shown in the below rendering (minor changes were made since the production of the rendering):
The three panels provide the viewer with an interpretative journey from the Early Peoples on the Peninsula, through the Gold Rush Days, to the establishment of the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad.
Horizontal Panels
The diorama display runs along the center
of the museum and depicts six (6) time
periods of station development.
Horizontally in front of each time-period
will be an interpretative panel highlighting
key points of development in the timeperiod.
Examples are shown here. These panels
are still being developed by the
Subcommittee and designer. The images
shown here are early mockups of the
panels.
Atherton Train Station Museum
MAY 6, 2026
The Subcommittee is seeking feedback from the Council on whether the completion of both the verticals and horizontal interpretative panels should be a gating issue to the ribbon cutting.
Below is recent design image update of these panels:
Atherton Train Station Museum
MAY 6, 2026
Date of Ribbon Cutting
Once the Council determines the gating issue for completeness, staff can narrow down a date for the ribbon cutting. If the horizontal panels do not need to be completed before the ribbon cutting, the ribbon cutting can safely be held sometime in early June. A June ribbon cutting event will give sufficient time to notice the community about the event.
However, if the Council desires the horizontal panels to be complete before the ribbon cutting, the ribbon cutting should be held in early July. While we anticipate that the horizontal panels will be installed by the end of June; there may unanticipated delay.
Alternatively, the Town can soft launch the station over the summer and host a ribbon cutting in September ensuring completion of all features. This timing would also allow the Town to engage with train enthusiasts and other interested parties to help spread the word about the opening of the museum.
Scale of Ribbon Cutting
Staff and the Subcommittee are also seeking feedback from the Council on the scale of the ribbon cutting event. A simple ribbon cutting ceremony for the museum would entail invites to Council and other elected officials, interested parties, and the community. There would be light snacks provided as well as background music. There would be some welcome speeches from dignitaries and opportunity for others to speak as well.
The ribbon cutting event could be scaled to include special invites to school or college theatre groups to dress in period attire, a DJ, a food truck, tabled groups of similar interests (train groups, library, etc.), docents, and period decorations.
The timing of the ribbon cutting will also dictate some of the opportunity for scale. If the Council is interested in a ribbon cutting at the quickest possible time, a smaller scale ribbon cutting would be expected. A ribbon cutting in July could coincide with the Town’s 250th Proclamation at the July Study Session and associated decorations could be patriotic in style. A ribbon cutting in September could coincide with schools being opened for the new year and could involve more school group and family attendance.
FISCAL IMPACT
None at this time.
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal A - Preserve Small Town Character & Quality of Life
POLICY FOCUS
Atherton Train Station Museum
MAY 6, 2026
Policy focus for the Council is on the three questions posed by the Train Station Subcommittee.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents as well as stakeholders –to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire Protection District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item has not been before a Town Committee or Commission
ATTACHMENTS
None