Thank You!

As we close out the night, I just wanted to say thank you immensely for reading. The fact that so many people in San Jose read this blog and are enthusiastic about the success of our city means that we have a very bright future ahead of us. We have the rare opportunity to be in a city that is on the rise and be a part of its success!

I would also like to thank everyone that has contributed to The San Jose Blog over the past two years, especially Jarrod Wells for all of the great Sharks posts (Go Sharks!). We have some new writers that will be contributing very soon, so I'll thank them in advance as well =).

May you all have a great night!!!

1st Act's Vision for Downtown San Jose

500 Followers on Twitter!

The San Jose Blog has just broken the 500 follower mark on Twitter! Only 3.8 million more to go to catch up to Charlie Sheen =)

Click here to follow us on Twitter.

Earthquakes D-day Video

One step closer to getting the Earthquakes stadium built...

EXCLUSIVE: San Pedro Square Market Confirmed Tenants!

I'll start off by saying that I think The San Pedro Square Market is the most exciting project underway in Downtown San Jose right now. If you happened to be at SJ Eats 2.0 over the weekend, you got a sneak preview of what San Pedro Square will be like after the Market is open--especially if you were eating some Treatbot ice cream next to the Peralta adobe (they will be one of the permanent tenants).

What I have for you today is a list of signed leases that will be moving into the Urban Market this year. Some names I can't share yet, but I can at least tell you what they will be selling. So far we have:

• Naples-Style Wood Fired Pizza
• A Wine Bar also featuring Cheese, Charcuterie & Panini
• A Full Service Bar in the El Dorado Building
• Vietnamese Sandwiches and Spring Rolls
• San Pedro Square Newsstand & Gift Shop
• Treatbot Karaoke Ice Cream
• The Usuals, San Jose's own Clothing Shop
• Veggiebox
• La Fina Cocina, Latin Kitchen Products
• Glo, Handmade Jewelry
• Crewners, Classic Single Chair Barbershop 

There are also a number of leases that are in process right now, and I'll provide juicy details as soon as I get a green light! More news (and interviews) to come later this month.

Grand Plans for the Diridon Station

Some very exciting changes are in store for the Diridon area. It's a key transit hub in the bay area that connects Caltrain, Light Rail, Ace, Capital Corridor, Amtrak, and multiple Bus lines. By the end of 2012 it will also be home to a bike sharing station and by the end of the decade it should also house BART and High Speed Rail. It very well may become one of the busiest transportation depots in the US someday. Add to that a potential ballpark across the street, and you have an area with a lot of potential.

Below are some images from the planning department showing 3 planned "zones" the Diridon area is being divided into.  The innovation zone is going to be focused around housing emerging companies, the central zone will feature retail and entertainment, and the southern zone will be primarily residential. A lot of thought has also been put into an art plan that will blanket all three zones. Have a look at some of the images below for more on the overall vision!

New Restaurant will Come to Former Smoke Space

The proprietor behind Sabor Tapas Bar & Lounge has plans to open up a new restaurant in what used to be the Smoke Tiki Lounge and Smokehouse. No news on what the restaurant will be called or what type of food they will have, but interior work is already underway and it is expected to open this summer.

Lost San Jose Updates!

One of my favorite local photographers, Josh Marcotte, has recently updated the Lost San Jose site with tons of new photos (such as the one below)! He also has an art show going on through May 27th at Good Karma featuring the Alviso Slough. Check out the site right over here!