June 2012 Downtown Dimension Highlights

Here are my belated notes from the June edition of Downtown Dimension:

• New incentives for high-rise construction have been launched [and they appear to be working], specifically lower construction taxes, commercial-residential building taxes, park fees, streamlined permits, and several other perks which would apply to the first 1,000 units that break ground before 2013.
• SJDA launched a targeted marketing campaign for www.liveandlocalsj.com, which highlights live music venues and performers. More than 20 Downtown locations present music on a regular schedule and there are 40 that host music seasonally. 
• St. James Park will host the Blues Fest on July 14 from noon to 8pm.
• Downtown Doors is expanding to 65 locations Downtown, brightening up the streets with art from local high school students.
• Blush Raw Bar & Lounge is open in the San Pedro Square Market, serving sushi and "slush" drinks.
• The Sliding Door has opened at 355 S. First, selling moving doors, walls, and room dividers in various finishes and glasses.
• Zipcar has added 12 cars across 6 Downtown locations (!)
• KQED has a new home at 50 W. San Fernando.
• Parque de los Pobladores in SoFA is being expanded thanks to a $500,000 grant from ArtPlace to turn the park into an outdoor living room for the arts.

To read the full newsletter, click here!

Greyhound Bus Lines Adds Express Service in San Jose

Greyhound's Express service has expanded into California and San Jose is one of just a few cities selected to have these new premium routes. The highlights of the new service are very few (if any) stops, guaranteed seating, free WiFi, power outlets for every seat (!), extra legroom, and leather seats. I'm not sure how this next part is possible, but trips start at $1.

The 3 Californian Greyhound Express routes are:

Los Angeles - San Jose - San Francisco
Los Angeles - Oakland - San Francisco
Los Angeles - Bakersfield - Fresno - Modesto - Stockton - Sacramento

For more info, click here!

Premium Greyhound Express(TM) Service Expands to the West Coast Starting May 2

Reserved Seats, Free Wi-Fi and Fares as Low as $1 Expands into California and Adds Routes in Texas

DALLAS, April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Greyhound today announced that Greyhound Express -- the company's premium, non-stop service -- will be expanding to the West Coast starting May 2. Next month, Greyhound Express, which launched a little more than a year ago, will expand into California as well as add new routes in Texas, further building on the most recent success of its largest expansion since its inception. Today's announcement introduces 66 new city pairs and 10 new markets to the growing Greyhound Express network, which is the largest network of nearly 700 potential direct-service intercity pairs. Tickets are now on sale with every-day fares starting at $1 at mygreyhoundexpress.com.

Greyhound Express is coming to 10 new markets: Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, Stockton, Sacramento and San Antonio.

The newest Greyhound Express routes include:

Los Angeles - Oakland - San Francisco

Los Angeles - San Jose - San Francisco

Los Angeles - Bakersfield - Fresno - Modesto - Stockton - Sacramento

Dallas - Austin - San Antonio

Houston - San Antonio

Since introducing Greyhound Express in December 2010, Greyhound has expanded to nearly 70 key markets across North America and has seen an impressive 21 percent increase in overall ridership, with nearly 2.2 million customers experiencing the premium service. Aiming to introduce customers to a wholly new, better travel experience, Greyhound Express combines affordable prices with amenities usually found in more expensive travel.

"Just in time for summer travel planning, Greyhound Express is now available in five major regions of the United States. Families, students and other adventurers who have been hesitant to book travel due to high fuel prices or increased fares on other modes of transportation, can find relief knowing our affordable, premium level of service can now be found coast to coast - something our competitors simply don't offer," said Dave Leach, president and CEO, Greyhound. "This expansion is a direct result of customer demand and our customers have shown us that they love the value and premium amenities Greyhound Express offers."

Greyhound Express continues to be an innovative leader in the industry, providing modern, environmentally friendly buses equipped with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, power outlets, leather seats, reserved seating and extra legroom. Customers can buy their Express ticket online to take advantage of discount pricing, print their ticket at home, or pick it up at a self-service ticketing kiosk, and know a guaranteed seat is waiting for them. Additionally, Express customers can relax in private waiting areas in select locations, protected from the weather, with a dedicated guest services specialist available to provide an extra level of customer assistance. All tickets are nonrefundable.

Greyhound Express provides non-stop service between major cities, originating from Greyhound service hubs including New York; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Atlanta; Dallas; Calgary, Alberta and now Los Angeles. For those who need long-distance connections, stations along Greyhound Express routes allow travelers to easily connect to an established network of more than 3,800 Greyhound destinations throughout North America.

For fare and schedule information and to purchase tickets, visit mygreyhoundexpress.com.

About Greyhound

Greyhound is the largest North American provider of intercity bus transportation, serving more than 3,800 destinations across the continent. The company also provides Greyhound Package Express (GPX) and charter services. For fare and schedule information and to buy tickets call 1-800-231-2222 or visit the website at www.greyhound.com . For the latest news and travel deals, follow GreyhoundBus on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GreyhoundBus and "Like" us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GreyhoundBus .

SOURCE Greyhound

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved 

ARTRAGE @ San Jose Museum of Art Tomorrow

Click here for tickets!

New Bike Lanes are a Go!

It looks like the new protected bike lanes on 3rd and 4th have been added! Just in time for our new bike sharing/rental program coming this fall. Other bike projects scheduled this year for Downtown include adding a "green-painted" lane down San Fernando and new lanes on Almaden, 10th Street, and 11th Street. Thanks to Luke for sending this in.

San Jose Green Energy Match

San Jose is part of a contest to be the "Coolest" California City along with 9 other cities. The contest is essentially won by being green and trying to save as much energy as possible. The prize is $10,000 and of course some bragging rights. In order to participate, all you need to do is register for the program by clicking one of the links below. In addition to helping out the city, you will also be able to take advantage of substantial local discounts as a "thank you" for participating. So it's a win for everyone: the city, you, and the environment!



Save Money on Energy Bills and Receive 70% Off Coupons

Join Green Energy Match, the City of San Jose’s free program for saving energy. This program provides online software that analyzes your home energy use and makes simple energy-saving recommendations.

• Receive 70% Coupons — you’ll get BIG discounts at local stores and restaurants by signing up

• Save Money — reduce your energy bills with helpful customized tips

• Help San Jose Win — San Jose is competing in the Cool California Challenge and the City needs you!

Go to www.greenenergymatch.org to sign up. The program is available only until the end of July.

Or call 800-314-5997. This program is sponsored by the City of San Jose, Silicon Valley Energy Watch, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, WattzOn and Acterra.

Two New Downtown San Jose High-Rises May Break Ground This Year!!!

I have some epic news today. Downtown San Jose may get not one, but two residential high-rises breaking ground this year. We have all seen the impact that that current 4 towers have had on life Downtown. There are more people walking around at any given day/time and both restaurants and retail have continued to grow over the last couple years. Another 1,000 residents on the street should be enough to create critical mass for Downtown's main districts.

Tower #1 is rumored to be The Carlysle in San Pedro square right between the San Pedro Square Market and Axis. Given the ridiculous success of the still very incomplete Market, this is going to be a hot location. This will be a 21-story apartment tower with no planned retail on the ground floor. Usually I would be disappointed with the lack of ground retail, but with San Pedro Square across the street I don't think it will be missed. 12,000 sqft of retail! (Thanks for the correction Santa Teresa Hills).

Tower #2 is right in the middle of Downtown on Santa Clara and Market. KT Properties is planning a $75 million, 22-story apartment building with 485 units. There will be 6,000 sqft of ground floor retail and two floors of underground parking. I'm really excited about this location as it is the first residential high-rise on Santa Clara street and will go a long way to improving the conditions of Downtown's main avenue. It also will have the unique attribute of being only a 5-10min walk away from absolutely everything Downtown.

Downtown renters will have some tough decisions to make when these next two building are up. Oh, and Sam Liccardo is implying there may be even more to come.

Source: SJBJ, The Registry

LSI and Advantest Bringing Headquarters to SJ

San Jose is gaining 336,000 sqft of office space along with 1,250 jobs thanks to the relocation of two corporate headquarters. LSI is moving 850 employees from 3 Milpitas offices into a single 220,591 sqft building in North San Jose. The target for the move is Q1 2013 and the plan includes adding 25,000 sqft of additional space in the future.

Advantest is bringing 400 workers to a 116,000 sqft building on Zanker from current locations in Santa Clara and Cupertino. This move is happening right now.

Source: SJBJ

Japantown Mural Project Dedication Event Today

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey



Sam Rodriguez

You're invited to the July 14th dedication of the Japantown Mural Project, a remarkable art and design project by Japantown artist Tamiko Rast and Rasteroids Design that has been in development for the past two years.

The Japantown Mural Project will be a colorful "urban gallery", a celebration of the vibrancy of the Japantown neighborhood and community through images and artworks by 50 San Jose artists. The content also includes references to the historic Heinleinville Chinese settlement that predated Japantown in the area.

It will contain more than 60 panels, each one about 5'5" high by 9' long, installed on the City's Corporation Yard fence along Jackson Street between N. 6th and N. 7th Streets and extending part of the way up N. 6th Street.

DEDICATION EVENT
The dedication of the Japantown Mural Project will be in conjunction with the 2012 Obon Matsuri Festival in Japantown on Saturday, July 14. The Mural Dedication is at 3:45 at the corner of Jackson Street and N. 7th Street. There will be a short program, followed by a walking tour of the entire mural project with lead artist/designer Tamiko Rast and some of the project artists.

This event is free and open to the public.
All are welcome.

More information about the Obon Festival is available at: Japantown 2012 Obon Festival.