LeEco chooses San Jose for their North American headquarters

LeEco is an innovate Chinese company that is involved a multitude of high-tech businesses. They make smartphones, smart TVs, and are now working on autonomous cars. They are also a leading provider of streaming content in China (and are sometimes referred to as the Netflix of China). San Jose just scored a big win as LeEco recently decided to locate their North American headquarters here.

The new office is located at 3553 North 1st Street, conveniently close to just about every other major tech company on the planet. The 80,000 SQFT building could be home to as many as 800 new employees by the end of the year. LeEco will primarily use the space for cutting-edge R&D in both artificial intelligence and autonomous driving, two markets that will help drive the next wave of tech innovation.

Below is a short video and photos courtesy of the SJSV Chamber of Commerce.

May 2016 Downtown Dimension Highlights

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

• Several initiatives have been launched to make it easier to do business Downtown. These include speeding up the permitting process for small businesses, updating the signage code to allow for supergraphics and electronic billboards, improved WiFi, and transparent data on crime and traffic statistics.
• Must in the Park will welcome Los Lobos on June 24th and AC/DShe and The Killer Queens on July 14th. Two as of yet unannounced shows will take place on August 4th and August 25th. All shows begin at 5:30pm and tickets are $10-$15.
•  The Downtown San Jose Farmer's Market is now open every Friday along San Pedro Street around lunch time.
• Dine Downtown will kick off between June 10th through June 19th. Over 20 restaurants will feature three-course fixed priced dinners starting at $20 per person. $1 from each dinner will be donated to Martha's Kitchen.
• KT Urban is building the largest residential project to date in Downtown San Jose at 70 S. Almaden Ave. The two towers will be 23 and 24 floors tall and have a total of 723 units. The Greyhound bus station currently on the site will be moved to Diridon station.
• Sobrato is building a 190,000 SQFT office building at 353 Julian St.
• Bay Area Bike Share is added 13 more Bike Share stations to the Downtown area.
• Valley Health Center's 60,000 SQFT Downtown Clinic is opening in June and will offer the first Downtown urgent care services in a decade. The center will be open seven days a week from 8am-10pm.

To read the newsletter, click here!

The San Jose Blog's 7th Anniversary!

Today marks a very special milestone for The San Jose Blog. Seven years ago today this site started as a personal project to highlight all of the great things happening in San Jose. I love this city, and wanted as many other people as possible to love it as well.

It started out as a challenge to show the world that San Jose is cool, has culture, and is worthy of world-class development. Fast forward seven years, and it is much less of a challenge than it was before. San Jose has come a very long way, especially Downtown San Jose which is thriving far beyond my expectations for 2016.

Over seven years the San Jose Blog has put out over 2,800 posts and welcomed 2,350,000 visitors. It has not been easy keeping things running for so long (as many other local bloggers can attest), but I would like to thank all of our contributors over the years for helping keep this special project going. I would especially like to thank Jen Bullock who manages all of our social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) in addition to her super-busy day job.

If you are interested in contributing--whether you would like to write posts, send in photography/artwork, or have unreported news, please feel free to email me any time at josh@thesanjoseblog.com. Last but not least, thank you to all of the readers for giving us the motivation to keep on going!

21-story hotel expansion proposed Donwntown!

Exciting new proposals for projects that will change the Downtown San Jose skyline continue to roll in on a weekly basis. This latest one is unique in many ways. The Sheraton Four Points (previously the Montgomery Hotel) is proposing a 245-foot tall expansion tower that would contain 280 guest rooms. That in and of itself is exciting news, but how they are planning to execute it takes it to the next level.

The expansion would be the first cantilevered tower in Silicon Valley, meaning a substantial portion of the building would be in the airspace directly above the Sheraton Four Points. Not only would this allow a much larger building to be constructed on the narrow strip of land between the current hotel and the Fairmont annex, but it would allow the tower to be built without impacting the historic Montgomery Hotel building. It would be a beautiful juxtaposition of old and new.

The hotel would also have at least one amenity that does not exist in any other hotel building in the Bay Area--a rooftop pool. The 21st floor would also have a bar and fitness center, making the penthouse a major attraction accessible to all hotel guests.

Currently the hotel is somehow a Sheraton Four Points, which is the lowest-end brand in the Starwood chain. It is already one of the nicest, if not the nicest Four Points in the US. I cannot imagine that it would retain the Four Points brand if this tower gets built. It should be converted to at least a Sheraton, but I wouldn't be surprised to see this turn into an Aloft, Element Hotel, or even a W Hotel. The only other Starwood hotel in Downtown San Jose is the recently re-branded Westin San Jose.

This proposal is taking tower design to the next level in Downtown San Jose. I really hope this gets built, but even if it doesn't at least it is clear that proposals are getting more ambitious and in line with what Downtown San Jose deserves to have.

Source: SVBJ

Events in District 6

This upcoming week has several events going on in District 6. These include a political debate, a pop-up bikeway, and a neighborhood block party (we need more of these). More info below and a big thanks to Alex Shoor for sending in the details.

Candidates Forum/Debate featuring all of the candidates running for the open San Jose City Council seat in District 6

Date: Wednesday, May 11

Time:  6:30 to 6:55 pm will be a casual chance to meet the candidates and obtain information from their campaigns. The debate itself will be from 7 to 8:30 pm. Many, if not all, of the candidates will stick around after the debate to interact with voters further.

Place: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1100 Shasta Avenue, San Jose (of course!)
Parking will be limited, so please walk, bike, carpool or take public transit if you can.

Candidates present will be:
- Peter Allen - Helen Chapman - Dev Davis - Erik Fong
- Norm Kline - Ruben Navarro - Chris Roth - Myron Von Raesfeld

The forum will feature as lead moderator Beth Willon, KQED's Senior Editor of the Silicon Valley News Desk.

Sponsors of the forum include: S/HPNA, the District 6 Neighborhood Leaders Group and the Westminster Presbyterian Church.


Pop-Up Bikeway Demonstration Project

In honor of Bike Month, I want to invite you to experience what a safer, more bikeable Scott Street could look and feel like. Join the Greenbelt Alliance and the Buena Vista Neighborhood Association in a two-day event featuring a pop-up bikeway and a bike-themed neighborhood block party!

Friday, May 13th

7:30 - 10:00 a.m., 4:00– 7:00 p.m.

Scott Street from Richmond Avenue to Mayellen Avenue

Ride your bike down Scott Street to experience how the street could be transformed. Drop by our energizer station for snacks and info about biking in San Jose. Best of all - take advantage of FREE BIKE REPAIR provided by Performance Bicycle during the morning event hours! RSVP HERE


Neighborhood Block Party

Saturday, May 14th | 12:00-3:00 p.m.

Scott Street from Menker Avenue to Mayellen Avenue

Greenbelt Alliance and the Buena Vista Neighborhood Association will be hosting a bike-themed block party to encourage active transportation and engage residents and commuters in sharing their thoughts about biking in San Jose. Join us at the block party to meet your neighbors, learn about bike safety, and enjoy games and food! RSVP HERE

Saturday Stats: best places for STEM grads 2016

There is no place in the US that will reward STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) degrees more than the San Jose area when it comes to salary. However, after you factor in the astronomical cost of living here are we still #1?  A recent NerdWallet study looked at the 330 largest metro areas and analyzed salaries, concentration of STEM jobs, unemployment, and average rent.

The study ranked the San Jose area as #2 on the list. Who was #1? Huntsville, Alabama (what???). I don't think I would agree with how the attributes were ranked. I think few people would argue against Silicon Valley being the #1 place for tech jobs despite the high cost of living. San Jose has more STEM employees per 1,000 jobs than any other metro. It has the highest income for tech employees, $122,398 versus a $84,222 average for the study (and $107,722 for San Francisco). It also has far and away the best ecosystem for tech. If you have a STEM degree here, you're likely multiple calls and LinkedIn invites from recruiters each month. For more details and the full list, hit the source link below.

Source: NerdWallet

Downtown San Jose Farmer's Market kicks off today

The weekly farmer's market in San Pedro Square is returning to Downtown starting today. It takes place on San Pedro Street right between the parking structure and restaurant row. The market runs from 10am to 2pm every Friday except for July 1st.

Free two-hour parking validations are available at the market info table. Also available is a $1 coupon to any vendor if you take public transit and show your VTA pass. More details below:

Downtown San Jose Farmer's Market from WMS media Inc. on Vimeo.

SAN JOSE – The  Downtown San Jose Farmers’ Market, presented by Kaiser Permanente, opens for its 24th season on May 6 along San Pedro Street between Santa Clara and St. John streets.

The market offers more than fresh-picked fruits and vegetables direct from California growers.  Opening day, for example, features live music and Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association (PCFMA) chef demonstrations and recipe tastes.

Besides fresh fruits and veggies, the Downtown Farmers’ Market offers artisan booths for unique gifts, cut flowers, and gourmet foods, such as fresh and smoked fish, olives, breads and Kettle Korn.

Each week, the market may include up to 40 vendors.  On average, 2,500 residents, office workers and visitors head to the Farmers’ Market and San Pedro Square for lunch, activities, people-watching and shopping.  Customers are encouraged to bring their own reusable and washed bags.

Market partner Kaiser Permanente has teamed with the Downtown Association and PCFMA for six years to focus attendees on healthful and “green” living.  Kaiser Permanente will schedule its Blender Bike for Smoothies on occasion, allowing shoppers to hop on the stationary bike and whip up a smoothie made from fresh Farmers’ Market fruit.

Parking validations for Farmers’ Market shoppers are available for the Market-San Pedro Garage at the SJDA information table.  Visit sjdowntownparking.com.

Follow the Downtown Farmers’ Market on Twitter (@SJ_Downtown) and Facebook (sjdowntown).  Check sjdowntown.com/events/sjda-events/farmers-market-presented-by-kaiser-permanente/. Call (408) 279-1775 for information.

About the San Jose Downtown Association:  The San Jose Downtown Association is a non-profit group of business and property owners working to improve the vitality and livability of downtown San Jose.  Established in 1986, SJDA programs more than 100 days of events each year.


2016 FACT SHEET

Downtown San Jose Farmers’ Market, presented by Kaiser Permanente

Find the season's freshest fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, and gourmet treats from more than 30 local certified growers and purveyors of fine food, plus unique gifts from local artisans, at the Downtown Farmers' Market, now in its 23nd season.

When:  Every Friday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
              May 6, 2016 – November 20, (no Market July 1)
         
Where:  The Downtown Farmers’ Market is located on San Pedro
               Street in San Jose, between St. John and Santa Clara streets

Admission:  The Market is free and open to the public

Attendance:  Weekly attendance averages approximately 2,500

Audience:  Downtown office workers, out-of-town visitors, residents, and San Jose State University students and faculty

Event Producers:  The San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA), a local nonprofit business association, in partnership with Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association (PCFMA)
                                                                                             
Seasonal produce:  Though a lot of vegetables are grown in California year-round, a lot of fruit ripens starting in May, including apricots, blueberries, cantaloupes, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums, prunes and raspberries.  In June, find blackberries, boysenberries and other melons.

Gourmet foods:  The market has attracted purveyors of breads and baked goods, fresh fish, cheeses, honey products, olive oils and vinegars, wine, jams, sauces and ethnic treats, all locally grown and made.

Local artists:  Displaying crafts, jewelry, soaps, lotions, candles, scarves and clothing.

Sponsors/partners:  City of San Jose, VTA (Valley Transportation Authority), San Pedro Square, Republic Services; Metro Newspapers, El Observador, NBC Bay Area, Telemundo 48, MIX 106.5, 94.5 KBAY, KFOX 98.5

Websites:  www.sjdowntown.com and www.pcfma.com

Inaugural British Airways flight lands in San Jose

BA has officially begun service to San Jose International Airport! Their first flight from London landed yesterday around 6pm and our friends at WMS Media managed to record the event from a Downtown San Jose tower (see below).

The new international route not only brings San Jose closer to London, but also the 130+ destinations that British Airways serves out of Terminal 5 in Heathrow Airport. The flight features a state-of-the-art Boeing 787-900 (20 feet longer than the 787-800 pictured below). The plane is the first in San Jose International's history to have four classes of service: 8 First Class "cabins," 42 Business Class seats, 39 Premium Economy, and 127 Economy seats. Those who have flown on British Airways know that even the cheapest seats are pretty nice compared to American carriers--and this is the very best plane in the British Airways fleet.

I'm thrilled that my favorite airline is finally in San Jose and hope they will add more routes in the future!

Arrival in San Jose of British Airways #279 Inaugural flight from London from WMS media Inc. on Vimeo.