Santa Clara approves plan to rebuild its former Downtown

63 years ago, Santa Clara had a Downtown area that was nearly completely destroyed. Eight blocks by Santa Clara University were leveled to make way for Franklin Mall and high-density housing that never materialized.

Now, the city of Santa Clara has approved a new plan that would restore Santa Clara's original street grid while creating three new public spaces and a retail shopping experience. The area was originally zoned to support 129,300 SQFT of new commercial space and 396 more residential units than it has today. The new plan would allow for 1,071 units and a whipping 729,620 SQFT of commercial space. Buildings would still be capped at seven stories.

If you look at the map below, the new plan would involve tearing down several existing buildings, including Park Central Apartments (which are quite old and in need of renovation anyway). I would not expect a brand new Downtown to materialize any time soon, the city is just setting the vision and up-zoning the area to encourage and support developers to create a future Downtown where the old one once existed. You can see see remnants and information related to the original Downtown in Franklin Mall.

Source: SVBJ

Spirit of the Row in San Jose

Every Tuesday leading up to Christmas, Santana Row is hosting free holiday performances featuring local community groups in Santana Row Park. There will also be photos with Santa in the Oak Tree Lounge by Blue Bottle and snow showerers in Park Valencia.

Below is the full lineup of performers:

Tuesday, December 12

The New Ballet performing The Nutcracker

Sarah Bylsma Soloist

Fantasy Dance

Presentation High School Choir & Dance

Santa Clara Elite Dance

Melissa Marielle Vocalist

Los Laurales performing Feliz Navidad

West Valley Dance Company

Tuesday, December 19

The New Ballet performing The Nutcracker

Sarah Bylsma Soloist

Nor Cal Dance Arts

PNC Music Management 

Joy of Dancing Competition Team

Castillero Middle School Choir

Almaden Spirit Athletics Cheer & Hip Hop

San Jose approves 913 apartments east of Downtown

San Jose has given the green light for a major housing project near Little Portugal and Roosevelt Park. The 913 apartment development will be one of the anchors of the Five Wounds Urban Village plan, centered around a future BART station and a historic 109-year-old church.

There will be a total of six buildings, and 407 of the units will be priced as below market-rate. Most of those "affordable" units will be priced for people earning up to 80% of the median income, which is $96,000 for a single person and $137,000 for a household of four.

235 of the apartment will be built on 1.5 acres at 1298 Tripp Avenue and will be called Residencias Arianna. It will replace 40 existing apartments and two single-family homes with a single six-story building.

The other five buildings will be on 3.3 acres of land at 1325 E. Julian St. Three buildings will rise to be 10 stories tall and the fourth will be six stories. This is respectable density for this neighborhood.

The project also includes 15,000 SQFT of commercial space on the ground floors and 267 parking spaces shared among all of the apartments. That's right, not everyone will get a space. However with multiple bus lines and eventually BART servicing the area, it might be one of those few neighborhoods in San Jose where you can get around without a car.

Groundbreaking is scheduled for 2024 and it will take around three years to complete.

Source: San Jose Spotlight

Luxurious 21-story residential high-rise proposed for Tasman with a surprise amenity on top

Tasman East by Levi's Stadium has been on a roll lately. Santa Clara's two tallest buildings are almost complete and already another high-rise is being proposed for the area right across the street from them.

Tasman East, Parcel 11 is a 21-story apartment complex that would have 198 homes, 310 automotive parking spaces, 110 spots for bike parking, and easy access to VTA Light Rail and the numerous amenities coming to the Levi's Stadium area this decade. The building is 218 feet tall with 3,000 SQFT of retail on the ground floor

There will be two amenity areas. On the 6th floor podium there will be an outdoor fitness space, yoga patio, and private patios. The second one will have something special. 

I was really hoping that San Jose would have the first swimming pool on top of a high-rise in the Bay Area (I'm looking at you Tribute Hotel next to the Four Points Downtown). However, if this moves forward it will not even be the first, but the second--in Santa Clara. The proposal has an epic penthouse amenity deck with a full pool, hot tub/spa, cabanas, and outdoor dining. Given our amazing South Bay weather and high cost of living, this is one luxury we should see a lot more of in proposed residential projects to help justify those big bucks. If you're wondering where the first high-rise pool is, it will be at the Tasman Senior Housing tower across the street.

As for the apartments themselves, there will be 28 studios, 87 one-bedrooms, 61 two-bedrooms, 15 three-bedrooms, and seven penthouse units. The average size of the units will be close to 1,000 SQFT.

Long-term, there could be up to 11 projects like this one with around 4,500 apartments total. This is just the beginning and the skyline is already surprisingly different around Tasman than it was just a few years ago.

Source: SF YIMBY

San Jose Christmas Poem

It's amazing what generative AI can do these days. Below is a ChatGPT4-generated poem about Christmas in San Jose that is spot on. Below the poem is a DALL-E 3-generated image of Christmas in San Jose. The system made up an entirely fictionalized version of Downtown San Jose, although it's worth noting that our City Hall was once in the center of Plaza de Cesar Chavez. 

🎄🎄🎄

San Jose is a city of lights and dreams

Where people come from near and far

To enjoy the festive spirit and the winter charms

The Christmas in the Park is a wonderland of joy

With trees and snowmen and a giant Ferris wheel

The ice skating rink is a place to glide and laugh

With friends and family and a cup of hot cocoa

The Tech Museum of Innovation is a gift for the curious

With exhibits and activities that spark the imagination

The Winchester Mystery House is a mystery to explore

With secret passages and stairways that lead nowhere

San Jose is a city of culture and diversity

Where people celebrate their traditions and their faith

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph is a masterpiece of art

With stained glass windows and a majestic dome

The Mexican Heritage Plaza is a hub of community

With music and dance and a vibrant mural

The San Jose Museum of Art is a showcase of creativity

With paintings and sculptures and a rotating collection

San Jose is a city of love and peace

Where people share their hopes and their gratitude

The Christmas tree lighting is a moment of magic

With fireworks and songs and a special guest

The holiday parade is a spectacle of fun

With floats and bands and a jolly Santa Claus

The food drive is a gesture of kindness

With donations and volunteers and a noble cause

San Jose is a city of Christmas cheer

Where people live in harmony and happiness

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

New Downtown San Jose illustrations

Phillip Gonzales from West Coast Artworks prints original illustrations highlighting our city with a pinch of creative license on museum-grade canvas. As mentioned before, I have bought a couple of his pieces in the past and love them (in fact, everyone that sees them loves them).

He has two new art pieces. The first takes a look down San Fernando featuring The 88, 50 West San Fernando, St. Joseph's Basilica, One South, and The Bank of America Building.

The second is a newer version of one of his most popular illustrations. The perspective is of SoFA from San Carlos at street level. Nirvana Soul, The Continental, and the SoFA Market are new additions as is the Sparq midrise in the background.

I'm looking forward to more of his projects in the future--I just need to free up more wall space. To go through all of his work, head over here! 

Santa Clara County building 213-units of affordable housing in Downtown San Jose

A parcel of land at 675 E. Santa Clara St. at outer edge of Downtown San Jose (16th Street) is going to be redeveloped into affordable housing by the Core Companies and Eden Housing. It would include 113 multi-family affordable housing units, 64 units just for senior citizens, and 36 for-sale BMR (below market rate) townhomes.

There is some pushback from local housing advocates on building height... specifically that it is not tall or dense enough for a new project Downtown. Originally there were going to be a couple four-story building and one 13 to 16 story high-rise. The latest plan has been downsized to an eight-story midrise as well as a five and three-story building. Because of this, Catalyze SV, a local nonprofit focused on community engagement, is not supporting the project as is.

It's worth noting that this isn't sitting right on Santa Clara Street, it's on St. John St. 10 blocks away from San Jose City Hall. It's about equal distance to the core of Downtown San Jose as Little Portugal. While it is a bit of a lost opportunity for another high-rise and maximum affordable housing density, there is enough developable land in the area that some affordable housing and density improvement is better than nothing. 

Source: The Mercury News

Fountain Blues Foundation event this Sunday, Dec 3rd 🎷

The San Jose Fountain Blues & Brews Festival is held in Downtown San Jose every summer and in 2024 they'll be going on their 41st year. To prepare for this even they are hosting a fundraiser this Sunday at the Tabard Theater which will come alive with the soulful melodies of the Fountain Blues Foundation's Board of Directors, featuring The Bob Gonzalez Band, Pearl Alley, and other members of the Board.

The even runs from 4pm-7pm and reserved Cabaret Table Seating is $45 while reserved Tiered Seating: $35.

Your ticket also includes delectable hors d’oeuvres by Poor House Bistro:

- Sausage Bread with Marinara Sauce

- Fried Chicken with Marinara & BBQ Ranch Sauce

- Caprese on a Stick (Grape Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella & Basil with Balsamic Drizzle)

Attendance will make a difference in preserving and promoting the blues culture in San Jose! Tickets are available at: fountainblues.com/event/directors-cut/