New hotel proposed across the street from Santana Row

KT Urban has submitted new renderings and an environment review for a hotel that is right across Winchester Boulevard from Santana Row. And by right across, I mean it's facing Maggiano's and Olin Avenue. This is perhaps the single best spot for quickly getting to the center of Santana Row without actually being inside of Santana Row.

The new renderings show a blue brick facade, metal panels, and textured cement. It's 85-feet tall, 7-stories, with an underground floor for parking. There will be 176 guest rooms total, a 4,270 SQFT pool deck and fitness center, and parking for 45 cars and storage for 20 bikes.

On the parcel today is an anachronistic-looking gas station. With most people switching to EVs and 200+ charging stations at Santana Row, I don't think it will be missed.

Construction is expected to last 21 months, and they are hoping to open the project in 2026.

This is a great improvement for this key corner. My complaints are that it could have been much taller, they should have pushed for the maximum height allowable by the FAA. Also the amenity deck with the pool could have been on the roof as opposed to the podium on the 2nd floor. I'm sure this will be a very expensive hotel with a premium brand. Having the pool on the roof with a view of Santana Row or the Santa Cruz mountain would have helped justify the price for weekend guests.

Source: SF YIMBY

San Jose author explores the dark side of love in poetry book "My Heart is a Ghetto"

One of my favorite things about this blog is getting to promote local artists. I don't come across a lot of poetry that is centered around events taking place in San Jose, let alone written by one of our locals. 

San Jose native Little Tank has always been fascinated by the complexities of human relationships. In “My Heart is a Ghetto” he explores the dark side of love, sex, and betrayal through the eyes of a young man who struggles to find his place in the world.

The novel follows the protagonist, who goes by the nickname Tank, as he navigates his way through a series of dysfunctional and abusive relationships with women who use him, cheat on him, and manipulate him. Along the way, he also deals with his own issues of low self-esteem, addiction, and depression. The novel is based on Little Tank’s own experiences and observations of the dating scene in San Jose and beyond.

Little Tank says he wrote the novel as a way of coping with his own trauma and healing from his past. He hopes that his novel will resonate with readers who have gone through similar situations or who are curious about the darker aspects of love.

“My Heart is a Ghetto” is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop. The full press release is also below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Poet Little Tank Releases Groundbreaking Poetry Collection: "My Heart is a Ghetto"

San Jose, California - [October 13th 2023] - Local resident and acclaimed poet, Little Tank, is set to take the literary world by storm with the release of his powerful collection of poetry, "My Heart is a Ghetto." This thought-provoking anthology delves deep into the themes of abstaining from destructive vices, dreaming big, and the courage to pursue one's loftiest aspirations. It is a celebration of transformation, resilience, and the power of the human spirit to rise above life's darkest moments.

At the heart of "My Heart is a Ghetto" is the poem "RAFI 21," which masterfully encapsulates the collection's core themes. In "RAFI 21," Little Tank paints a vivid picture of life in the slums, juxtaposing the desolation of abandoned buildings and the chaos of a race riot with the yearning for a better life. Through his words, he explores the depths of longing, the struggle for escape, and the ultimate hope for redemption. The poem serves as a poignant and evocative introduction to a collection that grapples with the complexities of existence and the quest for self-improvement.

Little Tank's poetry is a raw, unfiltered reflection of the human experience. He invites readers to join him on a journey of self-discovery, where the heart serves as a battleground for liberation, and the soul is set free. "My Heart is a Ghetto" encourages readers to break free from the shackles of routine and embrace the courage to believe that their most significant aspirations can indeed become a reality.

What sets "My Heart is a Ghetto" apart is not only the compelling content but also its unique origin. Hailing from the vibrant and diverse city of San Jose, California, Little Tank brings a fresh and authentic perspective to the world of poetry. His work is a testament to the creative talent and unique voices that emerge from San Jose, a city known for its cutting-edge and innovative contributions to the arts.

This collection is an anthem for those who have faced adversity, demonstrating that hope can rise from the depths of despair, and a brighter future is possible, even in the most challenging circumstances. "My Heart is a Ghetto" is more than just poetry; it is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the power of words to inspire and uplift.

About Little Tank:

Little Tank is a local poet hailing from San Jose, California. His poetry is a reflection of life's raw and emotional moments, exploring themes of transformation, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams. "My Heart is a Ghetto" is his latest poetry collection, an evocative journey into the depths of the human experience. He has been published in several online magazines, from Metazen, Housefire, and The Scrambler, to Elizabeth Ellen's Hobart. You can follow him on Twitter: @xlittletankx and find more of his work at his personal website: www.heavyathletics.us

27th Annual Pumpkins in the Park in Downtown San Jose

Are you looking for a fun and family-friendly way to celebrate the fall season in San Jose? If so, you won’t want to miss the 27th annual Pumpkins in the Park festival, hosted by the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy. This event is a family-friendly harvest festival that brings thousands of visitors to enjoy a variety of activities and entertainment, while also raising awareness about one of our region’s unique natural resources, the Guadalupe River Park.

Pumpkins in the Park is a free event that takes place on today from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Discovery Meadow in downtown San Jose. The festival features a giant pumpkin patch, where you can pick your own pumpkin and decorate it with paints and stickers. You can also enjoy live music, dance performances, puppet shows, and storytelling on two stages. There are also plenty of games and crafts for kids of all ages, such as pumpkin bowling, ring toss, bean bag toss, and face painting. You can also bounce around in inflatable slides and obstacle courses, or take a ride on a trackless train. If you get hungry, you can visit the food trucks and vendors that offer a variety of delicious options, such as pizza, tacos, burgers, ice cream, and more.

The festival aims to promote the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, which is a nonprofit organization that manages and advocates for the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens. The Guadalupe River Park is a three-mile ribbon of parkland that runs along the banks of the Guadalupe River in the heart of downtown San Jose. It offers scenic views, recreational opportunities, environmental education, and cultural attractions for the community. The Guadalupe River Park Conservancy works to preserve and enhance this natural resource, as well as to engage people in its stewardship and enjoyment.

For more information head over here.

Día de los Muertos at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

Día de los Muertos honors the lives of departed ancestors and loved ones. The Children's Discovery Museum is throwing a special event on October 28th for visitors to learn more about Día de los Muertos. Attendees will also be able to make sand paintings with stencils, build cardboard skulls, and watch a parade with massive skeleton puppets led by Teatro Familia Aztlán.

Visitors can also write down the names of loved ones who have passed and bring personal mementos to share on a community altar. The event takes place between 9:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 4:30pm on Saturday, October 28th.

Source: The Merc

San Jose Downtown Association Annual Meeting

The San Jose Downtown Association is having their annual meeting this Friday from 8-9:30am at the Hammer Theater, 101 Paseo de San Antonio.

The agenda includes SJDA CEO Alex Stettinski's Downtown Address, financial reports, committee reports, and election of new board members. It's always a interesting meeting discussing the biggest news impacting Downtown San Jose (plus they have delicious muffins).

You can register for free over here.

Student Housing tower at 100 North 4th Street moving forward to environmental review

Another Downtown San Jose high-rise is getting closer to becoming reality. A 23-story tower designed for student housing near San Jose State University has published its initial environmental study. 

The tower would have 1,424 beds, which means another 1,424 people in Downtown San Jose right behind MIRO and City Hall. Units are split between 147 two-bedrooms, 105 three-bedrooms, and 78 four-bedrooms. Each apartment has one bathroom for every bedroom.

100 North 4th is 270 feet tall and comes in at 703,360 SQFT. There is a retail component, but it is just a single 8,420 SQFT space, which is quite large for an undivided unit. It would accommodate a restaurant the size of Rollati, but I imagine it would be something student-focused.

There is also 21,900 SQFT of common open space (including homework rooms every other floor), and a four-story podium parking garage for 287 cars and 426 bicycles.

While targeted towards students, they cannot restrict who occupies the building similar to The Grad. This type of project can be a really great value for young people that are just starting out in their careers. The apartments are furnished and include most utilities. You can also likely get by without a car in Downtown San Jose. 

These co-living upscale dorm projects are rare in San Jose but I hope we see more of them. It's one possible solution for adding large amounts of low-cost(ish) housing in our urban core and it happens to be a couple blocks away from a future BART station.

Source: SF YIMBY

Downtown San Jose getting not one, but two new underground Speakeasy's

Little Italy San Jose is about to open the Italian Cellar, an underground Speakeasy-style bar that is part of the brand new Italian Museum & Cultural Center. The bar will specialize in cocktails such as the Aperol Spritz, Old Fashioned, and Espresso Martini as well as Italian beers and wines. The soft opening is on Thursday, October 12th.

Downtown San Jose's newest neighborhood has expanded quite a bit recently, and also include a relocated Poor House Bistro and Littlest Little Italy collection of eateries and market. However, this won't be the only Speakeasy coming to Downtown San Jose.

An empty corner at 2 W. Santa Clara street will be getting an underground bar partially inside of an old bank vault. Not a lot of details on this yet, but there is a permit application on the window.

Safeway next to Valley Fair Mall finally closing, perhaps opening up expansion opportunities

After 67 years, the anachronistic-looking Safeway next to Valley Fair mall is finally closing. It was only a matter of time given how valuable this land is and how unusual it is to have a Safeway right next to the most successful mall in California.

This opens a pretty significant expansion opportunity for the mall, which has been on a roll with both retail stores and experiences for visitors such as a high-end cinema, bowling, escape games, and foodie destinations like Eataly, Din Tai Fung, and Baekjeong. Perhaps the location could be used to push out Macy's Men's and extend the newest wing. This area is filled with premium outdoor dining, luxury retailers like Lucid Motors and new flagship stores (Apple, Burberry). While most malls are struggling, Valley Fair and Santana Row are both thriving, so now would be a great time to continue to invest.

As for the Safeway employees, they will all be given options to move to other stores in the area.

Source: SFGATE