May 2012 Downtown Dimension Highlights

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

• The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has awarded the Downtown Doors program a $25,000 grant. Zero1 and MACLA also received funding.
• Lots of great events are happening downtown this summer:
• Starlight Cinemas
• Dine Downtown
• Family Day at the San Jose Museum of Art
• Starting May 15th, the Downtwown PBID is bringing 2 off-duty police officers to patrol down time 4 hours a days, 4-5 times per week. The main goal is to reduce "quality-of-life" crimes, respond to calls from business/property owners, and work with Growndwerx to assist Downtown patrons.
• 1stACT has developed a Small Wonders Innovation Fund for projects to activate Downtown streets such as new events, exhibits, interactive projectsions, art projects, and live performances.
• The SJDA and San Jose Jazz are joining forces to expand the 32nd annual Blues Festival on July 14th at St. James Park.
• The Friday Farmer's Market is back for it's 20th Season!  It is located along San Pedro Square. (There is also a new Saturday Market, you have 2 to choose from!)
• Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill is now open and features authentic Jerk Chicken.

To read the full newsletter, click here!

New High-Rise Construction Update

I just received some info from the SJ Downtown Residents Association Newsletter that I think you are all going to enjoy. It looks like we'll finally have a crane back in Downtown San Jose this year. A new 22-story Barry Swenson apartment building that is going to be between Axis and the San Pedro Square Market has been approved and sounds like it is moving forward. More info below (sign up for this newsletter here) along with renderings of the building.

Hat-tip to Jeff for sending in the info!

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Single digit vacancy rate for rentals always leads to new construction in densely populated areas and downtown San Jose is no exception. A recent discussion with Councilmember Sam Liccardo shed new light on projects in the works...and the truth about others that, until now, were just rumors. First, while there is definite interest in the lot between The 88 and The Rep, as well as the SW corner of Santa Clara and Market Street, nothing, according to Liccardo, will happen until the market improves.

Currently, all parties are "simply too far apart," he says.

New apartment construction however, has already been approved to move forward, including three residential high rises: 1. A six-story affordable housing facility for up to 135 residents will be built on Bassett Street, on the east side of the Market Street overpass and west of N San Pedro. The First Community Housing project will be Leed Certified; 2. A six-story Barry Swenson project will be built just on the other side of the Market Street overpass, north of Julian; 3. The largest of the three-also a Barry Swenson project-will include market rate, high-end units and top off at 22 stories near Axis and Andy's Pet Shop. This construction project is expected to also trigger the long awaited Julian Street renovation.

"Look for cranes in the air by year's end," said Liccardo.

Two Buck Tuesday Today!

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

Join us at KALEID Gallery for this upcoming Two Buck Tuesday!
Come enjoy an inspired evening of art demos, performances, live painting, $2 art & quirky people get together!
Here's some of what you have to look forward to this time:

Two Buck regular Nicolas Caesar invites the public to his Monster Mash-up. Mad Scientists of all ages get a chance to illustrate, invent or remix a monster with the encouragement of Nik’s demented eye. Most people may know Nik from TV20’s Creepy Kofy Movie Time, as the artist and curator of Scream 4, as well as Fearnet’s Holiday Fear Finds.
Also on display will be several remixes Nik did from Arroyo High School students monsters.


Brande Barrett will demonstrate how to make art into glass pendants.


The San Jose Yarnbombers will show you how to make a simple yarn flower with a loom. Supplies will be provided.


Fun stencil making workshop with Michele Guieu: make a stencil (or more!) and compose a cool page using different acrylic colors applied with a foam stencil brush. Kids welcome. All material provided.


David Mejia will draw your portrait on the spot for a small fee.
LIVE ART BY:
Matthew McHan, 
Jean Davis, 
John Hageman
Live acoustic set by Mr. Philthy and Friends


Also enjoy Live Improvisational Belly Dance by Nour EL Ain!
Tuesday, May 15th, 7-10pm
 It's free and open to all ages!

88 South Fourth Street (@ San Fernando)
San Jose, CA
info@KALEIDGallery.com
408-947-1785
Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, noon -7pm, free admission

Chick-fil-A Officially Coming to San Jose! PART 2

I have some additional updates from an event today regarding the Chick-fil-A coming to @First on July 26th. It's going to be the first restaurant in San Jose to be LEED certified (extremely energy efficient). They also are already planning another restaurant this year in Walnut Creek and are shooting for 3-5 new Bay Area restaurants a year.

Lastly, they have an interesting event tied to the launch where 100 people will get a year's supply of Chick-fil-A.  Details below:

Chick-fil-A will celebrate the grand opening of the new San Jose restaurant by giving away a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A meals (52 certificates) to the first 100 adults in line on opening day. The “First 100” celebration draws Chick-fil-A raving fans up to 24 hours in advance. They arrive with tents, air beds, TVs, lap top computers, gaming systems and other activities to pass the time while camping out overnight. Since the event began in October 2003, Chick-fil-A has given away more than $16 million in free food. 

The new restaurant is one of 92 locations the chain plans to open across the country in 2012, creating nearly 7,000 new jobs. Despite the challenging economy, Chick-fil-A continued to grow in 2011, reporting record-setting annual sales of more than $4 billion, representing a 13 percent increase over 2010 and the 44^th consecutive year of sales growth since the company began in 1967.

Chick-fil-A topped large chain category in Zagat’s 2011 National Fast Food Restaurant Survey that measured the opinions of 6,000 consumers covering 103 chains. With each chain being rated on its quality of food, service and facilities, the survey scored Chick-fil-A first in service and the chargrilled sandwich categories; and second in the areas of food, best drive-thru, most child friendly, and facilities. In 2011, Chick-fil-A also received Consumer Reports Top Chicken Chain for food and service.

Chick-fil-A Officially Coming to San Jose!

The most eagerly awaited restaurant at the @First development (North First and 237) would have to be Chick-fil-A. There have been many discussions back and forth on whether this restaurant was even going to make it to the South Bay, but today I'm happy to confirm that it's going to happen. I even have a launch date for everyone: July 26th. This will be the very first Chick-fil-A in the Bay Area Correction: This will be the first stand-alone Chick-fil-A (non-mall) within 60 miles of San Jose. There is one in Fairfield, which is technically part of the Bay Area.

Mother's Day Dining Ideas

For some great Mother's Day food options, check out EatDrinkPlaySanJose.com. The Fairmont in Downtown San Jose has a great brunch as does LB Steak and Village California Bistro in Santana Row. There's also a Champagne Buffet over at Il Fornaoio. For all the details, click here!

Village California Bistro, Credits: EatDrinkPlaySanJose.com

Double Carpool Lanes Coming to the South Bay

The first double carpool lanes in Northern California are going to be built in a 3 mile stretch on 101 between 85 and Embarcadero in Palo Alto. These are extremely rare (had a real hard time finding a photo) and exist on just a few freeways in SoCal.

Eventually these will become double toll lanes, which is part of a much larger project to create double toll lanes stretching from Morgan Hill through San Jose and up to San Mateo. Toll lanes allow single drivers in the carpool lane for a fee that increases with higher congestion. So far the only toll lane in San Jose proper is along 237.

Highway 85 is also going to get the double toll lane treatment as soon as 2015 and 880 is going get it's first carpool lane in each direction between 101 and 237.

Source: Marin Independent Journal

Downtown San Jose Murals

From the SJDA website:

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Keep an eye out for a collection of murals covering the walls and adding color to the downtown landscape. The murals celebrate the people and places that make San Jose, Silicon Valley and California great. A walk along First Street will reveal most of these murals. See how many you can find.

	Artist: Location: Corner of E San Salvador and S First St. Behind Studio Theater building. 2009

Artist: Location: Corner of E San Salvador and S First St. Behind Studio Theater building‎. 2009

	Homage Artist: Chris Duncan & Paul Urich Location: Corner of E Santa Clara & Fourth Street 2005

Artist: Anno Domini Location: Anno Domini Corner of W San Carlos and S First St. Opposite California Theatre San Jose.

	Artist: Location: Fountain Alley Parking Lot, off Second Street between Santa Clara and San Fernando. On wall of San Jose Bar and Grill. 2008

Artist:  Morocco's Location: At the corner of W St John St. & N Market St.

	Artist: Lorna Sulgit Location: St. John and Notre Dame streets, on the wall of the former Rosicrucian Press building 2011

Artist: Lorna Sulgit Location: St. John and Notre Dame streets, on the wall of the former Rosicrucian Press building 2011

	Artist: Lorna Sulgit Location: St. John and Notre Dame streets, on the wall of the former Rosicrucian Press building 2011

Artist: Lorna Sulgit Location: St. John and Notre Dame streets, on the wall of the former Rosicrucian Press building 2011

	Artist: Lorna Sulgit Location: St. John and Notre Dame streets, on the wall of the former Rosicrucian Press building 2011

Artist: Paul Gonzalez Location: On the fence of the former Porter Stock Building

	Artist: Paul Gonzalez Location: On the fence of the former Porter Stock Building

Artist: Jet Martinez Location: Parking lot of the Robert F. Peckman Federal Building, South First St.

	A Place in Mind Artist: Jose Arenas  Location: On the wall of Miami Beach club, Corner of E San Salvador and S First St. 2009

A Place in Mind Artist: Jose Arenas Location: On the wall of Miami Beach club, Corner of E San Salvador and S First St. 2009

	A Place in Mind Artist: Jose Arenas Location: On the wall of Miami Beach club, Corner of E San Salvador and S First St. 2009

A Place in Mind Artist: Jose Arenas Location: On the wall of Miami Beach club, corner of E San Salvador and S First St. 2009

	Shades of San Jose Artist: Joey Piziali Location: SoFA Parking lot 2010

Shades of San Jose Artist: Joey Piziali Location: SoFA Parking lot 2010

5 Strawberry Tips Courtesy of the Veggie Box

Did you know that strawberries had shoulders? I had no idea that's what the top of the strawberry was called, let alone that a strawberry is considered ripe when the red color reaches all the way to the top of the shoulders near the sepals (leafy bits) ... Just throwing down some of the knowledge I learned by watching this video from our friends over at the Veggie Box, located at the San Pedro Market Square in Downtown San Jose.



So, tomorrow, during the Farmer's Market, check out the Veggie Box and buy yourself some juicy strawberries! (And if you use them in some kind of tasty-delicious recipe, share that with us!)

The San Jose Blog Turns 3!

After 3 years, over 1100 posts, and half a million visits... I'm going to take a moment to go back to the original premise of this blog--to show that San Jose is a world-class city. But how the heck do you measure world-class? It seems like something that is completely subjective.

Well, it turns out that there is an organization called GaWC that objectively defines, categorizes, and ranks "global cities" based on multiple criteria. They are also based out of the UK, further increasing objectivity when it comes to US cities. Their criteria for global cities includes:

• Economic characteristics: corporate headquarters, financial output, number of financial services companies, cost of living, etc.
• Political characteristics: influence on and participation in international events and world affairs, hosting headquarters for international organizations, demographic diversity, etc.
• Cultural characteristics: museums, galleries, film festivals, professional sports teams, educational institutions, tourism, historic features, etc.
• Infrastructural characteristics: advanced transportation systems, mass transit, major international airports, communications, hospitals, prominent skylines, etc.

Their research is legitimate and well respected internationally. They have 4 different levels of global cities:

1. Alpha Cities - very important world cities that link major economic regions and states into the  global economy
2. Beta Cities - important world cities that link their region or state into the world economy
3. Gamma Cities - world cities linking smaller regions or states into the world economy
4. Sufficiency Cities - There are NOT considered world cities, but have sufficient services so as to not be overtly dependent on world cities

Each "global city" category is further subdivided into normal, plus, or minus... similar to letter grades in school. Sufficient cities can either have a "sufficiency" or "high sufficiency" ranking.

Okay, now the real question... how has San Jose done based upon the research?


2000 Rankings: High Sufficiency


2004 Rankings: High Sufficiency  


2008 Rankings: Sufficiency  


2010 Rankings: Gamma+  

There you have it folks. In the latest rankings, San Jose is now objectively considered to be a world-class city for the first time. I've said many times before that we're on a great trajectory, and now there is even scientific data to back it up. The future is only going to get brighter and there is so much to look forward to. Soon we'll have new teams to root for (Earthquakes, A's, and the South Bay 49ers), more transit options (BART, BRT, Zipcar), and tons of development projects Downtown, Midtown, and on North First.

Thanks for reading and for any and all contributions you make towards making our city a better place!