Facebook announces huge campus expansion in Menlo Park

MENLO PARK, Calif. (KGO) -- New details emerged Friday about Facebook's proposal to expand its main headquarters campus in Menlo Park.

"Our goal is to create an integrated, mixed-use village that will provide much needed services, housing and transit solutions as well as office space," says John Tenanes, Facebook's vice president of global facilities and real estate.

The social network giant is planning to redevelop the former Menlo Science and Technology Park on Willow Rd. and intends to call it the Willow Campus. Officials say part of their vision is to build a neighborhood center that provides much-needed community services.

"This will be a village," said Ryan Patterson, Facebook real estate manager. "The community benefits will be open and accessible to everyone."

Pending city approval, Facebook hopes to build 1.75 million square feet of offices. In addition, 125,000 square feet will be set aside for retail space, including a pharmacy and grocery store.

The company also plans to include 1,500 units of housing on the campus to help account for future growth. 15-percent of the units will be offered at below market rates.

"We envision construction will follow in phases, with the first to include the grocery, retail, housing and office completed in early 2021," said Tenanes. "Subsequent phases will take two years each to complete."

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