September 2019 Downtown Dimension Highlights

The latest addition of Downtown Dimension is now live. Below is a summary of the content this month: The SEPTEMBER 2019 Downtown Dimension is now available at:  https://sjdowntown.com/wp_2016/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/DTDSept2019.pdf In this edition: VTA and BART are working out the details of the next phase of BART to Santa Clara through downtown San Jose. This update includes the decision to dig a deeper and wider tunnel that allows tracks to lay side-by-side. The intersection of Fourth and Santa Clara streets is undergoing change at every corner.  We've got the update. The map of what Google owns on the west side of downtown continues to be drawn.  The company is ramping up communications of its plans. Tickets are on sale for the Brews + Bites event Sept. 14.  Electronic signs to enliven the urban setting are on their way downtown. An amnesty program that forgives penalties and interest on business license taxes and Business Improvement District fees will begin Oct. 1.  Average savings is about 25 percent. Speaking of the West side, the City Council has approved an infrastructure fee to be paid by businesses and property owners for upcoming improvements to plazas, sewers, streets, storm and flood protection.   Save the date:  Oct. 11, for San Jose Downtown Association's annual meeting. Keep up with all that's happening downtown: Live and Local SJ live music Traffic alerts lane and road closures. Maps of downtown commercial property availability and development proposals. Boom City: SJDA's continuing summary of new downtown building proposals and west side acquisitions,  Downtown Dimension is a leading source for information about downtown San Jose news, events and businesses.  Subscribe with a simple email to sjda@sjdowntown.com, subject line:  Subscribe. Copyright © 2019 San Jose Downtown Association, All rights reserved.

San Jose Development Projects

The SJ Economy blog has released a slick interactive map showcasing major development projects in the area. The map was developed along with the City of San Jose's Public Works GIS team.

The number and scope of projects in the pipeline right have to be an all-time high. We're talking tens of millions of SQFT of development. When using the interactive map, don't forget to use the tabs to see ALL of the projects.

Check out the map over here.

New Shark mural by famous artist

The Modera apartment complex on the Alameda near Whole Foods now has one heck of a mural. The graffiti artist Nychos has brought his unique style to San Jose with a 100-foot long mural that shows the anatomy of a shark with the city in the background. It's an interesting and eye-catching design.

The project is called "Bleeding Teal" and was a collaboration between Empire Seven Studios in Japantown, Mighty, SAP, and Modera.

Source: SVBJ

Solar4America ice rink expansion

This is an old story, but is still worth sharing. The Solar4America ice rink where the San Jose Sharks practice, will be doubling in size over the next few years and will soon become the largest ice rink on the West Coast.

At 180,000 SQFT, the building is one of just eight facilities in the US to have at least four NHL regulation-sized ice rinks. The $150 million expansion would add a staggering 200,000 SQFT.

The new space would have an additional community rink, a competition rink for the San Jose Barracuda, and a new practice facility for the Sharks.

If everything goes well, then construction will begin at the start of 2020 and be complete by the end of 2021.

Source: Enterprise-Record

Viva Calle 2019 Part 2 - "Parks to Roses" on Sep 22nd

Rain and hail may have put a damper on the first Viva Calle this year, but that is not going to happen again in late September. Thankfully we have not one but two Viva Calle's this year.

During Viva Calle SJ, miles of city streets will be completely shut down to let people walk, run, bike, or skateboard down the streets of San Jose. Viva Calle features multiple activity hubs which are basically festivals-within-a-festival that highlight the local area. For part 2, the activity hubs will be at Backesto Park, Arena Green, and the Municipal Rose Garden. You can expect live music, vendors, food, activities, bike parking, and good times at all three hubs. In between the activity hubs you will still find all sorts of interesting stops, hydration stations, and stores. Last year over 100,000 people attended the event.

Viva Calle 2019 "Downtown and Eastbound" takes place on Sunday, September 22nd from 10am to 3pm (streets are closed until 4pm). It is completely free and has no designated beginning or end as it's not a race. However, it appears that for the first time ever there is also a new 5K at 8am.

You can use the handy map below to locate the routes and festivities. For more info, head over here. Hope to see you there!

Garden at the Flea

It has been quite a while since I have been to the San Jose Flea Market. I had no idea that they built out a full-blown craft beer garden featuring local beers and a food truck park. There is also a stage for live music in the beer garden. These are here to stay even with the major new developments being built around the new Berryessa BART station.

There is an impressive list of events at "Garden at the Flea" which include concerts, pro wrestling, and the 8th Annual Taco Festival of Innovation (Aug 31st). To see all of the programming, head over here.

Tom McEnery is reviving Manny's Cellar

Former San Jose mayor Tom McEnery is bringing back a beloved and famous (infamous perhaps?) bar in the basement of the Fallon House called "Manny's Cellar." The bar was often visited by city elites and has quite a bit of history behind it. The Fallon House itself is a historic building across the street from the San Pedro Square Market and the Peralta Adobe--San Jose's oldest building.

The new bar would try to preserve the history and character of the former bar, and would have a period-appropriate aesthetic. I'm picturing a speakeasy similar to Haberdasher in SoFA.

The project would also benefit History San Jose as there would be a new docent program for the historic buildings and they would receive 10% of the net profits from Manny's Cellar 2.0.

Tom McEnery also wants to see if the Fallon House and Peralta Adobe could be opened to the public without charging for admission. Both are some of the most historically significant buildings in California and he wants as many people as possible to see them.

What a great way to re-purpose an area that has been used for storage for the past 25 years and help activate a historic building!

Source: San Jose Spotlight