Residents of Menlo Park, California, are protesting a proposed skyscraper development, citing concerns about its scale and its owner's ties to a Russian oligarch. The project, known as 80 Willow Road, is spearheaded by Vitaly Yusufov, son of former Russian Energy Minister Igor Yusufov, who has faced international sanctions.
The development by Willow Project LLC plans to construct approximately 665 residential units, 332,000 square feet of office space, and three buildings ranging from 301 to 458 feet in height on a 6.7-acre site. The property was acquired in 2018 for $72 million.
Despite local opposition, California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office has intervened, sending a letter to Menlo Park arguing that the city's delays in approving the project violate state housing laws. This stance has drawn criticism from residents, who are urging city officials to resist the state's directive, even with the potential for significant legal expenses.
"I urge you to fight the 80 Willow project despite the risk of massive legal fees," resident Maria Kleczewska stated. "This project will be the ruin of our beautiful city."
Residents have expressed concerns about the potential impact on their community, including loss of open sky and trees, increased shadows, and a dramatic rise in traffic congestion. "How many residents will be looking at that monstrosity from their streets and yards instead of the open sky and trees that we love to see? How many houses will be in shadow? How many streets will experience a dramatic increase in traffic?" one resident questioned.
Igor Yusufov, Vitaly's father, was a former Russian Energy Minister and founder of the investment vehicle Fund Energy, reportedly amassing a net worth of approximately $1.1 billion, according to Forbes. While sanctioned by Canada and Ukraine, neither the United States nor the European Union has imposed sanctions on him. Vitaly Yusufov has previously been involved in international business, including the acquisition of a German shipbuilding company, Wadan Yards, in 2009.