Another yes vote for a new high-rise hotel Mike Rohde of Vallco now threatens that Vallco's owners will build a high-rise hotel in the northwest corner of their property if Measure D (rezoning) is defeated and they can't sell the land to a developer for condominiums. What a terrific idea. All they have to do is to find a hotel developer dumb enough to build a new high-rise hotel at a time when hotel occupancy rates are under 60 percent in Silicon Valley, and hovering at around 45 percent in Cupertino. Corporate executives will be clamoring to stay at a hotel with views of a parking garage, a decaying mall, a freeway, and residents' back yards. Will there be free wireless? Given Vallco's history of success in retail, with a mere 50 percent vacancy rate in the mall, it's a no-brainer that they've got the know-how to make the hotel a success. A hotel is a win-win proposition. If it's successful then the city will benefit with far more revenue from sales and occupancy taxes than they would ever receive from property taxes, plus there will be no negative impact on schools. If the hotel fails, it can be torn down and turned back into a parking lot, or be used for retail (retail at a shopping mall--what a revolutionary concept). As Mayor Lowenthal has stated, "It's just about money--it's not about creating housing. It's about money [for Vallco's developers]. We might as well be candid about that." Mayor Lowenthal's quote can be found in the archived webcast of the city council meeting of Feb. 27, 2006. Don't fall for Vallco's campaign of misinformation. Vote No on Measure D. Save retail at Vallco. Jessie ChouCupertino Courier LettersWednesday, September 6, 2006