While IKEA continues to make little headway in East Palo Alto, other Bay Area cities have expressed interest in rolling out the red carpet (blue and yellow carpet?). If East Palo Alto does not come to a decision before the end of the year, IKEA can begin courting other locations. Newark, Milpitas, San Jose, and even Rocklin (a Sacramento suburb) have already contacted IKEA’s real estate consultant. IKEA says they are committed to sticking with East Palo Alto and the city council is considering putting the matter on a March ballot. But March is a few months into 2002 and other cities could easily cut through any red tape to get IKEA’s tax revenues.