In the face of the growing housing crisis, San Jose residents are urging elected officials to preserve funds for permanent affordable housing. The San Jose City Council is considering reallocating housing funds from Measure E, a property transfer tax approved by voters in 2020, to instead support and shelter homeless residents in the short term....
Last call at Los Gatos nightclub & bar after 50 years
Mini disco balls dangle from a giant chandelier over people dancing energetically to a cover band’s live performance of Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk ” — but not much longer, as a legendary Los Gatos club shuts its doors after more than five decades. Charley’s Los Gatos Bar & Nightclub, a beloved local spot known for...
Santa Clara County struggles to improve internet in underserved areas
County officials want to provide broadband internet service in underserved neighborhoods, contrary to a long-awaited report that dismisses the idea. The digital equity study, which they commissioned two years ago, warned the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors against the steep cost of building an underground fiber network and instead suggested partnering with the private...
Santa Clara considers bond to tackle millions in infrastructure upgrades
Santa Clara has more than half a billion dollars in needed infrastructure improvements and officials hope residents will pay to get those projects done. The city is considering a bond measure for the November ballot to help tackle a more than $624 million infrastructure deficit. Santa Clara officials may have a chance of it passing...
Santa Clara County closes deficit but can’t escape budget cuts
Santa Clara County officials are bridging a massive deficit through an infusion of new revenue and realigned costs to balance the upcoming fiscal year’s $12.4 billion budget. But it will still require painful cuts. The county’s May 1 budget proposal manages to close half of its $250 million gap through several tactics. One is the...
San Jose mulls diverting affordable housing funds — again
San Jose needs millions of dollars it doesn’t have to clear homeless residents from city waterways and place them into temporary shelter. Officials are considering raiding an affordable housing fund to make it happen. The city manager is proposing two options for the 2024-25 budget that would divert monies out of Measure E, an affordable housing fund,...
Silicon Valley leaders push multibillion-dollar housing bond
Regional leaders are brainstorming ways to keep affordable housing production up and eyeing a hefty funding source. The Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) wants to put a multibillion-dollar bond measure on the November ballot, with the funds going to the region’s nine counties to help facilitate affordable housing. The bond’s details have yet to...
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The Biz Beat: San Jose’s Burger Bar is a 1950s classic
Burger Bar in San Jose might have been what musician Chuck Berry was thinking about when he rhapsodized in “Back in the U.S.A.”about a place where “hamburgers sizzle on an open grill night and day.” The restaurant, founded in 1953 by Albert Berger, predates the classic song by six years and was the first of...
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San Jose turns to AI for language translation
San Jose is expanding its language translation options in public meetings by using artificial intelligence. The city launched its partnership with Wordly, an AI-based service that offers live translation in 50 languages. Translation will be available at all San Jose City Council and council committee meetings. City officials say it’s more affordable and efficient than...
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San Jose anticipates job cuts amid budget shortfall
A looming budget shortfall in San Jose means looming threats of layoffs at City Hall. San Jose is facing a nearly $52.1 million shortfall this year and will have to find ways to cut costs while preserving city services. City officials have been clear that cutting vacant positions will be part of the approach. What hasn’t...