December 2014 Downtown Dimension Highlights

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

• Several formerly homeless people are getting to celebrate the holidays in their own homes thanks to the cleaning ambassador program at Groundwerx, which recruits homeless individuals to volunteer in exchange for food and housing assistance. Out of the 19 volunteers, 8 have found permanent employment.
• Nine Pop-up store are joining established small businesses to take the Downtown San Jose retail scene to the next level. Most are clustered around The Rep and you can find a map over at http://www.sjdowntown.com/popup
• Downtown residential high-rises are exempted from a new $17-per-SQFT housing impact fee for five years.
• An 8-story, 194-unit residential building ha been proposed for the San Pedro Square parking lot next to the Old Spaghetti Factory. It may have retail on up to three sides and will create a new paseo. Unfortunately the buildings housing Satori, Los Cubanos, and the San Pedro Bistro will have to be torn down to make way for the project. All three are great places that I hope will relocate Downtown.

To read the full newsletter, click here!

Whole Foods San Jose Grand Opening Today

The other day I had the opportunity to eat dinner at one of the most anticipated new spots in Downtown San Jose. This place, known for its food, also has a microbrewery and tap-room on site. Today, December 9th, is the official GRAND OPENING!

Of course, I'm talking about the new Whole Foods on the Alameda!

As part of a media tour, they served us several delicious courses of food that you can easily find within the store itself. But I'm jumping ahead.

Here's a rundown of what I saw, heard, etc.. 

Parking:

It's been awhile since I've driven past Stockton/The Alameda area. I was driving down Stockton and completely passed up the parking lot entrance (oops) - so a quick u-turn later, I was back in business.

Decor:

The place is huge and it's quite pretty from the outside. It's not a stuffy looking grocery store. Colorful and modern design elements are everywhere. They used a lot of locally manufactured, reclaimed, and recycled materials to decorate the store. I loved it! 

Meat Department:

We learned about their rating system (displayed above the counter) -- the higher the number, the better that the animal was treated. Nice to know. 

Also, they have a big ole container full of bacon. 

Cheese Department:

They have many different kinds to choose from, and it is nice to know that if you are curious they'll bust one open for you on the spot and give you a taste. I picked up one package of a cranberry-orange cheese. I neglected to ask what the heck do I eat with that? Or what do I prepare it with? Next time I will ask.. and someone will tell me. Because that's how it works. ;)

The Berliners:

Custom-filled donuts made on the spot. Just for you. Maybe for your friends, if they're lucky.

Pizza:

Their official pizza dude (Matthew Driscoll) is on the U.S. Pizza Team. Look at him go!

Then I tasted their pizza - super yum. Did you see that fancy shmancy brick pizza oven too? Game nights are going to be filled with people buying some pizza or a hockey-themed (cute) sandwich and heading up the patio for a beer. (WHAT? Beer you say?! Keep reading...)

Microbrewery:

San Jose is home to the company's first on-site microbrewery and tap room in California called Mission Creek Brewing Company. 

"Mission Creek Brewing Company is located in a two story, 5,600 square-foot 'outbuilding' separate from the main store itself. The ground floor houses coffee and fresh juice bars, along with some seating. The second floor is home to the tap room, with eight bar seats, a birds-eye view of the brewery, and access to outdoor seating for around 75. A retractable roof and outdoor heating protect guests in inclement weather."

Neato, right? Here's the view from the patio.

As part of the tour/media day, we were treated to a three-course dinner (or .. is it five when you count the starter and dessert? I clearly don't have to many "course" meals…) The spread of tasty nibbles were delicious and the decor on the tables quite nice!

I have to say, everything was delicious. Not twisting my arm to say it at all. That's one of the things I really like about Whole Foods. If I was out running errands at one of my old jobs, I might find myself near the Hamilton location. I'd run in to their prepared foods section and try not to go too crazy buying things. They have a TON of delicious things to try. So I knew going in I was going to be enjoying my meal.

And lastly, we got a little sweet goodie bag with various products they carry in the store:

Now, some people flat out won't go to Whole Foods because products are not the cheapest in the land. No, they're not. You will be paying a decent amount for some products. But, don't let that stop you from ever going there. Buy some treats, try something new that nobody else carries. Want to make a nice gift basket for someone? This is a perfect place for that. Do you work downtown and want to grab a bite to eat - like I mentioned above, their prepared foods department (bakery, pizza and sandwiches, etc) have a ton of delicious options. Treat yourself! Or maybe you run a business nearby and you need to get some food for a client coming in for a lunch meeting? Swing by there and pick up a spread. If it's not your go-to grocery store, it certainly can be a place to stop by occasionally. Don't rule it out!

I'm hungry now just thinking about all the goodies.. so I'm gonna munch on some of my lemon pistachios.. or maybe a carrot cake cupcake.. 

Website: www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/sanjose

Facebook: facebook.com/WFMSanJose.    

Instagram: @WholeFoodsMarketSanJose

ALSO!

From Dec. 11-24, the store is hosting “The Great Holiday Giveaway,” offering one gift with a value up to $200, via its Facebook page and http://thegreatholidaygiveaway.com.

Sourisseau News: Car Culture

The latest edition of Sourisseau News offers a glimpse at early car culture in San Jose. You'll even find a photo of the famous (infamous?) Letcher's Garage, the very first garage on the west coast and the site of a gruesome domestic murder/suicide. Watch the full two minute video below!


Car Culture from WMS media Inc. on Vimeo.

Julian Street Realignment Bringing More High-Rises Downtown!

Nathan Donato-Weinstein from the Business Journal always seems to publish at least one story a month that really gets me excited about development Downtown. His latest treasure is for SVBJ subscribers only, but the gist is that the Julian Street realignment is almost a go and it will bring some really sweet projects to the northwestern corner of Downtown San Jose.

Currently, Julian street has an awkward curve design to make it easy to get the Highway 87, but makes several blocks completely useless from an urban design perspective. San Jose is about to collect a $24 million state infrastructure grant to correct this design mistake from the 70's and revert Julian back to a traditional grid ripe for development.

In total, there will be over 1,000 residential units in this North San Pedro area consisting of townhomes, midrises, and towers. Earlier this month, Barry Swenson submitted plans for a the 18-story beauty pictured below with 313 units and three stories of parking. The tower would be located at the corner of Terraine and Basset. Barry Swenson is also planning a second tower with 200 units at Devine and N. San Pedro. If that isn't enough new development for you, First Community Housing is planning a 135 unit mid-rise in the area and Intracorp has four projects ranging from a 408-unit apartment building to townhomes.

All this would come together superbly with Centerra, Silvery Towers, and the San Pedro Square Market expansion!

Source: SVBJ (Subscription Required)

Mark Your Calendars: Rockage 4.0 February 6-8th!

One of my favorite events Downtown combines both retro video games and live music with local bands. Spread across three days, there will be over 30 indie rock bands, chiptune artists and DJs, and 50 rare classic cabinets and pinball machines, and tons of classic game vendors. New this year will be a third stage and a partership with MAGFest, whe east coast video game music and geek culture festival.

I'll have more info closer to the event, but if you are interested I would recommend following them here: http://rockagesj.tumblr.com/

CBS: San Jose Rolls Out Welcome Mat For Bustling Downtown

Last weekend there was a great story on CBS Local about Downtown San Jose. This gist is that Downtown is becoming Silicon Valley's new housing hot spot, with multiple high-rise residential buildings on the way and easy access to amenities, culture, and transit.

The new buildings will be targeting tech workers, with rents in the $3,000/mo range. The story mentions that there are already 90 tech companies in the Downtown core, but avid readers will remember that we now have over 100!

You can find the video and transcript below.

Source: CBS Local

Text from the video:

SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) — The city of San Jose is rolling out the welcome mat for tech workers and businesses to move to the city’s changing downtown.

At a massive new high rise apartment building, workers are laying the groundwork for a new kind of downtown San Jose, one with thousands of new residents who are younger and hipper.

“We’re making San Jose more and more hip every day,” said Mayor-Elect Sam Liccardo. “But it’s not happening from city hall, it’s happening because of the creative people who already live there.”

People like Jeff Michaud, a manager in a Silicon Valley tech company, who just moved here from Austin. “A fair number of my co-workers live in San Francisco and commute down, I’m not a big fan of the commute,” Michaud said.

His new home has gorgeous views with restaurants, shopping, entertainment and mass transit all just steps away.

“There’s a lot to do, especially beneficial when you come home late from work. You don’t feel like cooking, I don’t have to worry about that,” Michaud said.

With three cranes in the air, and at least six more condo and apartment buildings on the way, Downtown San Jose is the new housing hot spot in Silicon Valley.

Even with rents already in the $3,000 a month range, high-tech workers with comfortable paychecks will fill up the buildings fast according to one realtor, causing a welcome economic ripple effect for other businesses.

“The more people you bring, the more that will follow,” said Michael Murphy of Silicon Valley Lofts and Condos. “So we’ll probably see a lot more activity from a retail perspective with those people here.”

Ninety high tech companies are now located in the downtown core, one of them is Xactly. It makes sales-oriented software for companies such as Coca Cola.

CEO Chris Cabrera said the company was lured by the prices. “When we first came to San Jose, it really was because it was the best deal in town. And when we came down here, it really was an unexpected surprise,” he said.

The company is now doubling down on office space, relocating to a bigger building nearby for its growing workforce. “If we try to move, our employees would revolt because they love it,” Cabrera said.

Downtown’s vacancy rate has gone from 29 percent to 18 percent in the last two years. But large holes and empty storefronts remain, including the failed San Jose Repertory Theatre, which is now vacant.

The city is countering with a big marketing push playing up the downtown’s live/work environment.
Lee Wilcox of the San Jose Office of Economic Development said, “The amenities, the talented work force, there are great opportunities for companies to take advantage of what San Jose has to offer.”

And for the first time, San Jose made Forbes list of America’s Coolest Cities. San Jose was 16th on the list, tied for Los Angeles.

Hark Holiday Show at KALEID Gallery

Today there is a holiday art show at KALEID Gallery Downtown (next to Flames). The show runs from 7-11pm and features work from over 60 artists, including one of my personal favorites--guerrilla photographer Josh Marcotte from Lost San Jose. Give the gift of local art this holiday season!

New Costco Officially Coming to South San Jose

Last week developers confirmed that a new Costco would be coming to South San Jose on a 76-acre parcel near the intersection of Highway 85 and Monterey Highway. This will be San Jose's 4th Costco--the other 3 are in Almaden, North San Jose, and off Tully.

The Wholesaler will be part of a project that includes up to 780 residential units, 154,000 SQFT of retail, and 260,000 SQFT of office or R&D.

Given the large number of people that currently live in this part of South San Jose (as well as future residents from all the new development there), this should benefit an area that is under-serviced by retail. I will also mention that this will be the closest San Jose Costco to a Caltrain station, not that I foresee anyone carrying reams of toilet paper on the train.

Source: SVBJ