July 2012 Downtown Dimension Highlights

Here are my notes from the latest edition of Downtown Dimension:

• Property owners Downtown have overwhelmingly voted to continue Groundwerx cleaning, ambassador, and beautification program for another 10 years. 91.4% of owners voted to continue and expand the program! [Groundwerx has the highest return on investment of any Downtown program I can rememberfdsa
• Sunday, Dec. 9th will be the first Silicon Valley Santa 5K run. It will start in the late afternoon so that participants can end their race among all the Christmas lights Downtown.
• The SJDA is launching "HER city" which will offer after-work events catered specifically for women Downtown (www.sjdowntown.com/hercity)
• The Aug. 3 and Sep 7 South First Fridays will feature an urban faire to go along with the art walk.
• A joint SJDA and 1stACT Silicon Valley "Small Wonders Fund" will provide seed money for up to 18 new Downtown activation ideas between June 2012 and June 2013.
• Cre Paris is now open at the San Pedro Square Market.
• Cafe Bon Terre (formerly Whipps) will continue to server frozen yogurt but has also added crepes to the menu.
• Zenon's Place is now open at 167 E. San Fernando and will serve Peruvian and Mexican Dishes.
• Dosa & Curry Cafe is now open at 345 S. Fourth St.
• Third and Fourth streets are being repainted with "buffered" bike lanes. Almaden, Grant, 10th St., and 11th St will be getting new bike lanes as well.
• San Fernando St. will be getting a green-painted bike lane.
• A Bike Share program featuring 15 stations and 150-200 bikes will be kicking off this fall!
• For the second year, Downtown San Jose will receive a $600,000 grant from ArtPlace. This year it will support the "Illuminating Downtown" program which will feature futuristic artistic lighting throughout Downtown [sweet!]
• Violent Crime Stats - Violent Crimes Per 1000 Residents:
• Oakland - 16.83
• Sacramaento - 7.11
• San Francisco - 6.59
• Los Angeles - 5.22
• San Jose - 3.35

To read the full newsletter, click here!