Downtown San Jose expected to escape "doom loop"

An article at SiliconValley.com has been circulating over the past week with an optimistic outlook on Downtown San Jose's future. The title says it all: "Downtown San Jose is poised to escape ‘doom loop’ scenario: experts."

These experts are a panel of industry leaders, executives, and developers. The primary struggles are access to capital markets which are mostly frozen or too expensive due to interest rates. They predicted it would take until 2025 for major recovery and apartment and office projects to get off the ground.

Several people from the panel urged business leaders to make Downtown San Jose a vibrant entertainment district in 2024, which would help set the stage for major development in 2025. 

In order to make that happen, San Jose has to confront homelessness, blight, and crime. These issues also exist in San Francisco, but to a much larger extent. One panelist said:

"There is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for San Jose to eat San Francisco's lunch. San Jose is a more friendly place for conventions, it is a better place to hear music, it is a better place to have dinner."

In addition to bring more of these recreational opportunities down south, there is still significant demand for office space for AI startups. Normally these small companies would look first in SF, but the panelists said they are seeing more and more inquiries for space in the South Bay.

Mayor Matt Mahan and other panelists rattled off a list of reasons why Downtown San Jose is destined to become Silicon Valley's urban core. These included access to transit, entertainment, SJSU, great weather, a large population base, and existing nearby companies like Google, Adobe, and Apple as anchors.

One last quote from panelist Gary Dillabough worth mentioning is:

"We have to be bold. We need to start thinking differently in San Jose. We need a different attitude. We can’t overthink things. We need to take chances.”

In other words we have to do the same things as a city that our local tech companies have to do in order to survive and thrive. 

Source: SiliconValley.com

New Five Wounds Trail would link San Jose's cycling and walking network to the 28th Street/Little Portugal BART station by 2031

The Mercury News has a story about a trail that has been in the works for over 20 years. 

The Five Wounds Trail--named after the Five Wounds Portuguese National Church it would run by--would be a paved 2.17 mile route starting at the intersection of Story and Senter Roads. This is where the Coyote Creek and Lower Silver Creek trails come together. It is also near Kelly Park, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, the Japanese Friendship Garden, and History San Jose.

From there it would follow an abandoned railroad track all the way to Little Portugal, which is anchored by Five Wounds Church and is the site of the proposed 28th Street BART station, sometimes also referred to as the Alum Rock BART station.

What has become an unofficial walkway for some would be cleaned up, paved, and turned into a nice trail for walkers, runners, and cyclists with a few potentials areas for basketball courts and exercise equipment. It is all part of a master plan to connect hundreds of miles of trails together in Santa Clara County and would be a tremendous amenity for residents, especially those that are planning to utilize the new BART station.

Source: The Merc

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San Jose Stage Co.'s West Coast Premiere of BALD SISTERS

SAN JOSE STAGE COMPANY Announces Cast & Creative Team for

 

West Coast Premiere of

BALD SISTERS

By Vichet Chum

Directed by Jeffrey Lo

September 13 - October 8, 2023

SAN JOSE, CA (August 29, 2023) – San Jose Stage Company (Randall King, Artistic Director and Cathleen King, Executive Director) is pleased to announce the full cast and creative team for The Stage’s upcoming West Coast Premiere of the powerful family saga BALD SISTERS by Vichet Chum. Directed by Jeffrey Lo, BALD SISTERS will run from September 13 – October 8, 2023 at San Jose Stage Company (490 South 1st Street, San Jose, CA, 95113). Tickets range from $34 - $74 and can be purchased through the Box Office at (408) 283-7142 or online at www.thestage.org. For more information, visit www.thestage.org.

Vichet Chum’s captivating new play BALD SISTERS revolves around two sisters who have been at odds since their birth. Now, tasked with the responsibility of organizing their strong-willed, quick-witted mother's affairs, they must also come to terms with their family's Cambodian heritage, intricately woven into the complexities of their American present. Through a mix of irreverent humor and heartfelt moments, the story delves into the bonds formed by history, spirituality, and the power of laughter.

 

“Funny, Powerful, Stunningly Good [by] a rising playwright gaining national renown.” - Bill Esler, buzznews.com

 

“The Stage is excited to kick-off its 2023/24 Season with the West Coast Premiere of Vichet Chum’s BALD SISTERS. The story originated from its development at the prestigious Steppenwolf Theatre, where it received its world premiere during an extended run in early 2023.  We are honored to present the West Coast Premiere,” remarks Randall King, Artistic Director. “Vichet Chum’s exceptional new work deeply resonates with our search for the power of connection, the freedom that comes from embracing our individual personal stories, and a wonderful celebration our shared human journey.”

 

“BALD SISTERS is equal parts hilarious, heartbreaking, and uplifting,” says Jeffrey Lo, Director. “This celebration of the Cambodian-American women in playwright Vichet Chum’s life is an astounding work that taps into the beauty and struggle of creating human connection while wrestling with the mortality of ourselves and our loved ones."

 

The cast of BALD SISTERS will feature Nicole Tung* as “Him”, Rinabeth Apostol* as “Sophea”, Keiko Carreiro* as “Ma”, Will Springhorn Jr.* as “Nate” and Zaya Kolia* as “Seth”.

 

In addition to Jeffrey Lo+, the creative team includes Christopher Fitzer (Scenic Design), Becky Bodurtha^ (Costume Design), Maurice Vercoutere (Lighting Design), Steve Schoebeck (Sound), Spenser Matubang (Video Design), Patrick Chew (Dialect, Language and Cultural Consultant) and Alexa Burn (Stage Manager).

 

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers.

+Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, the union professional stage directors and choreographers .

^Member of United Scenic Artists, the union of professional designers.

 

ABOUT SAN JOSE STAGE COMPANY

Through powerful, provocative and profound theatre, San Jose Stage Company (The Stage) seeks to expand community, forge creative partnerships and challenge individuals in order to illuminate the human condition.

 

San Jose Stage Company is recognized as the South Bay’s leading professional theatre company, having earned a reputation for artistic excellence through imaginative and edgy theatrical experiences that spark ideas and dialogue with the audience. The Stage is dedicated to the presentation and development of new works, with a concentration on American literature scripted by modern playwrights that speak to the conditions, hopes and fears of humanity. With the farthest seat in the house no more than 15 feet from the three-quarter thrust stage, the connection between actor and audience is profoundly visceral.

 

The Stage is a multi-award-winning theatre company, including the 2018 Paine Knickerbocker Award for continued contributions to Bay Area theatre from the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle. The Stage has produced over 200 productions, including 20 world premieres and 50 new works and is ranked as the 2nd largest professional theatre and 8th largest performance arts organization in Silicon Valley (Silicon Valley Business Journal).

 

Attracting over 30,000 patrons to downtown and employing more than 150 local artists annually, San Jose Stage Company continues to be a vital force in the region’s economic and creative landscape.

 

TICKET INFORMATION

Single tickets to San Jose Stage Company’s 2023-2024 Season may be purchased online at www.thestage.org.

COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR IN-PERSON PERFORMANCES

To continue our safe return to in-person performances at The Stage, we have updated our Covid-19 Safety Policies in accordance with guidelines provided by the State of California and Santa Clara County:

• Vaccination checks will no longer be required of patrons before entering the theatre.
• Masking is strongly encouraged but no longer required for all patrons and staff while inside the theatre and lobby area.
• San Jose Stage Company remains a fully vaccinated company, i.e., artists, staff, and crew are vaccinated.
• Concessions will be permitted in the theatre and lobby area.
• We have upgraded our air filters and increased air flow in the theatre.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be provided throughout the theatre and lobby area.
• Performers will not be masked.
• All tickets will be e-tickets for touchless check-in.
• Digital playbills will be available by QR code and website link. Physical playbills can be provided upon request.
• Patrons will not be allowed to wait for performers in the lobby after the show, but are welcome to wait in the courtyard.
• The theatre, backstage, and lobby areas will be sanitized after each performance.

The Stage is constantly monitoring state and county guidelines and these policies may change and evolve over time. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining safety at The Stage. These policies and procedures are in place to keep our doors open for live performances. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our policies, please contact us via email at boxoffice@thestage.org.

Picnic by the lake with Senator Dave Cortese - Sep 30th at Hellyer County Park in South San Jose

Sen. Dave Cortese is hosting an inaugural "Picnic by the Lake" multicultural festival and resource fair in South San Jose. Everyone is welcome. Firefighters will be grilling up beef and veggie burgers for visitors, and unlike many things in life they will be completely free. There will also be a pumpkin patch filled with free pumpkins (while supplies last) and raffle prizes.

For the kids, there will be inflatables, face painting, and rock climbing. Entertainment includes performances from Folklorico Nacional Mexicano, Viet Steps dancers, and others.

Attendees can also get free flu shots and COVID vaccines. Up to 100 resource booths will also be there as well to promote other city resources.

The event will be Saturday, September 30th from 10am to 3pm at the scenic Hellyer County Park.

Source: San Jose Spotlight

380 North 1st apartment project moves forward in North San Jose

A seven-story apartment project at 380 North 1st street is moving forward to environmental review. The proposal is an infill project that will replace a two-story commercial building at the edge of Downtown San Jose (5 minute walk to St. James Park).

The apartment building will have 118 homes, 18 of which will be designated as affordable units. There will be 74 parking spaces at the ground level using a car stacking system that will stack up to three cars on top of one another. There will also be parking for 30 bicycles and a bike cafe. An amenity deck is situated on the third floor and a clubroom with a balcony on the sixth floor.

Overall it's a significant upgrade from what was there before and is close to both Light Rail and transit lines (Buses 72 and 73 stop across the street).

Source: SF YIMBY

Reimagining of Oakridge Mall in South San Jose as suburban village with two high-rises

There has been a lot of discussion around Santana Row on X recently, but other concepts similar to it have been in the works for a long time in the San Jose metro.

The architect behind a new apartment project (380 N. 1st Street, more on that tomorrow) also created an interesting concept for Westfield. Imagine what Oakridge mall's gigantic parking lot could be turned into. The renders below look very similar to a slightly small Santana Row that is directly attached to the mall.

The concept has two high-rises and several mid-rise buildings with 1,500 apartments, a hotel, 250,000 SQFT of office space, 25,000 SQFT of new retail space. Macy's would be turned into an industrial innovation center with maker spaces for artists.

It would be interesting to see Oakridge as a mixed-use destination. This would certainly give South San Jose a stronger sense of place as no high-rise projects exist there today. There are a few mixed-use proposals such as this one, but nothing of this scale.

Right now it is just a concept, but given Valley Fair's immense success in their last expansion, perhaps this is something that could see the light of day.

Source: Silicon Valley Joe from Skyscraper City

TikTok has close to 1,000 San Jose job openings with generous salaries

Silicon Valley's demise has been greatly exaggerated. Despite migration to Austin and other cities, the San Jose metro still has the highest proportion of tech jobs and the best salaries for tech in the US. The unemployment rate is near an all-time low and tech companies are beginning to ramp up hiring again post-pandemic.

TikTok's US headquarters are located in San Jose at 1199 Coleman Ave (also known as the Coleman Highline). They have a whopping 987 job openings. That's probably because they are hiring everywhere, right? Nope. Their San Jose openings make up 23% of all of their job openings globally. TikTok has access to far less expensive workers anywhere besides here, but they are continuing to aggressively hire in San Jose.

Examples of job opening are: 

• Senior machine learning engineers with a base salary of $187,040 to $280,000
• Lead graphics software engineer with a base salary of $187,040 to $358,000
• Lead machine learning engineer with a base salary of $210,000 to $358,000

Those are base salary ranges without bonuses, incentives, restricted stock units, or benefits. A top performer could earn double that range. Also, those aren't even managerial positions. 

If you're just starting out, don't worry they also have internships available at $45/hr.

TikTok is also hiring 178 people in Mountain View and 18 in San Francisco. So again, even within the Bay Area they are focused on the Capital of Silicon Valley.

Source: SVBJ

Photo by Abhishek Monangi

Photo by Abhishek Monangi

Photo by Abhishek Monangi