Rendering of a 21-story office building at 50 W. Santa Clara street in Downtown San Jose

The render below is a massing diagram for a proposed 21-story building called "The Clayton." It comes in at almost a quarter million SQFT (242,000 SQFT to be exact) and is nestled in Lightston Alley and Santa Clara Street. Currently there is a two-story building at this site with City Bagels, HotWorx, and Fuji Restaurant on the ground floor.

Today might not be the best time for new office tower developments, but we will have to build more office space again eventually. The proposed project will be sitting on top of a future BART station and the development timeline would actually be tied to BART being completed. Unfortunately that means 2037. Still having a new high-rise right on Santa Clara Street that is not residential is an exciting prospect to look forward to.

For companies looking for office space today, there are many opportunities including the shiny new 200 Park building by Plaza de Cesar Chavez that is roughly one million SQFT. 

Source: San Jose Spotlight

TMC Community Capital is setting up shop in Downtown San Jose

TMC Community Capital is moving into their Downtown San Jose office at 44 S. 1st Street. on July 1st. The company specializes in providing affordable microloans ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to underserved entrepreneurs. 

I love both their backstory and their mission. Have a look at the full press release below:

San Jose, CA –  TMC Community Capital is proud to announce the grand opening of its new office in Downtown San Jose, marking a significant milestone in the nonprofit microlender’s mission to advocate for financial justice among marginalized communities in California.

TMC Community Capital is a provider of affordable loans, ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, with a mission to support and serve various entrepreneurs, particularly women-owned, low-income, and under-resourced small businesses in California.

TMC Community Capital is not just a financial lifeline; it is a beacon of empowerment. Through tailored financing options, the organization provides vital capital necessary for businesses to grow, create jobs, and make lasting contributions to the local economy. By fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing, TMC Community Capital empowers entrepreneurs to navigate the challenges of business ownership and achieve sustainable growth.

The City of San Jose is known for its entrepreneurial spirit, but local entrepreneurs often face significant challenges. With extensive experience working with hundreds of small businesses in the area, TMC Community Capital is making it clear that they are here to open doors for local entrepreneurs.

At an early age, Daniel Fernandez and his family would wake up early to help his grandmother sell home goods at Berryessa and Capitol Flea Markets. His mother worked night shifts at the Oakland Post Office processing plant and sold handmade apparel on the side to subsist as a single mother to three boys. These experiences instilled in Daniel a deep understanding of the critical role entrepreneurship and informal work play in his community. This personal history fuels his dedication to TMC Community Capital's mission.

"We are thrilled to expand our presence in San Jose, a vibrant and diverse city with immense entrepreneurial potential." said Daniel Fernandez, CEO of TMC Community Capital. "Our new office will enable us to provide even more targeted support to small business owners who are often overlooked by traditional lenders. We are here to ensure that they have the resources and guidance they need to thrive."

TMC Community Capital’s impact is undeniable. To date, the organization has lent more than $7.3 million, served over half the counties in California, created more than $4 million in additional wage earnings, and generated over $14 million in local economic impact. In 2023 alone, 82% of their loans went to entrepreneurs of color, with more than half of their loan volume supporting women-owned businesses.

TMC Community Capital will officially move into its new San Jose office on July 1st. This new chapter in San Jose underscores the organization’s continued commitment to opening doors and creating opportunities for small business owners throughout California.

For more information about TMC Community Capital and their services, please visit tmccommunitycapital.org

About TMC Community Capital: 

TMC Community Capital is transforming the landscape of microfinance by addressing unmet needs and meeting small businesses where they are. As a nonprofit microlender, TMC Community Capital is dedicated to leveling the financial playing field and empowering women-owned, low-income, and under-resourced small businesses in California. By driving financial equity, bridging the digital divide, and delivering an outstanding user experience, TMC Community Capital ensures these businesses have the resources they need to thrive.

TMC Community Capital's mission is clear: to build a world where every entrepreneur, regardless of their background or circumstances, has equal access to capital and opportunities. The organization firmly believes that every individual deserves a chance to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in their communities.

As a CDFI-approved microlender, TMC Community Capital is committed to breaking down financial barriers and fueling innovation. Through tailored financing options, the organization provides vital capital necessary for businesses to grow, create jobs, and make lasting contributions to the local economy. By fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing, TMC Community Capital empowers entrepreneurs to navigate the challenges of business ownership and achieve sustainable growth.

Microsoft planning massive data center in North San Jose

Microsoft want to build two five-story data centers near the corner of Component Drive and Orchard Parkway in North San Jose. Microsoft originally paid $78.7 million for the land in 2021 and has been sitting on it ever since. With the rise of ChatGPT (which Microsoft has a big stake in), the need for data centers will skyrocket.

Part of the project would also include a water storage tank, pump building with chemical treatments for that water storage, and a new PG&E electrical substation.

The 30+ acre data center project would be right next door to a mixed-use village in North San Jose consisting of offices, hotels, and retail. That project, which is being led by LBA Realty, could clock in at 1.28 million SQFT. Today I also noticed that Apple is leasing some buildings in the area right before you turn onto Highway 87. It could be an interesting area in a few years.

Source: East Bay Times

Downtown San Jose neighborhood gets a new name: East Village

An up-and-coming neighborhood is getting a new brand. Just east of Santa Clara Street past San Jose City Hall is San Jose's East Village. The area is now much easier to spot thanks to a couple new murals on 10th Street.

The East Village has Downtown San Jose's finest collection of vegetarian and vegan options. The excellent Tofoo Com Chay, Vegetarian House, Vegan Bistro Donuts and Cafe, and Punjab Cafe are all in this district. Even though I'm a carnivore I'm a huge fan of all four of these. Needle to the Groove, Spirit Bros, Last Round Tavern, and Pho Passion are also there.

The last two neighborhoods I remember getting branded are Downtown West (Google) and Little Italy San Jose. Catchy names help to identify key areas Downtown and East Village has a nice ring to it. Next time you're close by, head to Vegan Bistro and have a look at Downtown's newest street art.

Source: The Mercury News

San Jose named one of the top US cities for raising a family

WalletHub ranked over 180 US cities based on 45 metrics related to raising a family. These include everything from the cost of housing, quality of education, health-care systems, and opportunities for fun and recreation.

San Jose came in 7th place with high marks in Health and Safety, Education, and Socio-economics.

Our cousin, Fremont, came in at 1st place. San Francisco held a surprisingly respectable 12th place. For all the of details and the full list, click the source link below.

Source: WalletHub

New airline for dogs flying out of San Jose International Airport

You read the headline correctly. BARK Air is a new airline flying out of SJC that caters to those travelling with dogs (and deep pockets). Flights are through a charter company with Gulfstream G5s, twin-engine business jets. That means you fly through San Jose Mineta International's Private terminal.

Instead of going in a crate, travelers and pets are greeted an hour before their flight by a concierge that helps get your pet ready for the flight in a spacious cabin. That includes providing things to help dogs stay calm like pheromone sprays, music, and scented refreshment towels. You also get a "just in case" bag filled with calming treats, leashes, poop bags, etc. 

On the flight itself, dogs get served water or bone broth during ascent and descent to ensure they don't experience discomfort due to change in cabin pressure. That's followed by BARK-branded treat, snacks and surprises throughout the flight.

Currently only two routes are offered: SJC to Chicago or New York. However, first class service equals first class prices. Each one-way ticket for a pet plus their owner is $6,000 for Chicago and $6,500 for NYC. 

BARK Air also serves LA, London, Paris, Phoenix, and Miami.

Source: KRON4

Día de San Juan Salsa Fest on June 21

Yet another new music festival is coming to Downtown San Jose this weekend. The inaugural Día de San Juan Salsa Fest is a collaboration between San Jose Jazz (SJZ) and the nonprofit cultural organization MACLA.

The festival will feature three great regional bands: Latin Rhythm Boys, Orquesta Taino, and La Mixta Criolla. In addition to the live music there will be salsa dance lessons, a DJ, and of course food and drinks. It all goes down in Parque de Los Pobladores, across the street from MACLA in Downtown San Jose's artsy SoFA District.

The event is free and runs Friday, June 21st from 5-10pm.

CaliBunga Waterpark San Jose officially opening June 29th!

What was once known as San Jose's Ranging Waters is being reborn as CaliBunga Waterpark San Jose starting on Saturday June 29th. The park is located inside Lake Cunningham Park and features over a dozen water attractions. It'll be open from 11am-6pm every day until August 7th and then open weekends through September.

They have upped the food options with in-park Food Trucks like Los Tres Hermanos and El Bombero 408. Best of all, they are planning a new restaurant and wine garden that will be open year-round! That is a great way to utilize space that would generally be empty most of the year. The restaurant will also have live music and an event space.

Tickets start at $28 for Twilight Admission (after 3pm). General admission starts at $53 and season passes start at $65. You can also rent cabanas with locking storage and food service. For more info, head to the CaliBunga website.