A long-standing Mexican restaurant is relocating after San Jose converted the motel next door into a homeless shelter. Los Garcia’s Restaurant will move into the former Fairway Zone Sports and Bar Lounge at 1150 Murphy Ave. in North San Jose following months of declining income, due in large part to customers not being able to find...
San Jose budget proposal outlines millions in service cuts
After months of speculation about where the budget axe might land to balance a $50 million deficit, San Jose’s city manager has released a proposal for the upcoming fiscal year that includes broad cuts to city services but avoids layoffs. The $5.5 billion budget proposal submitted by City Manager Jennifer Maguire on Friday has come...
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds audit reveals conflicts of interest
A new audit suggests the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds harbored conflicts of interest and questionable contracts for years, as county leaders seek to take direct control of the 165-acre public property. County auditors — in a report published this month — found fairgrounds management approved three contracts that totaled at least $1 million with vendors...
High-rise apartments in Campbell could replace closed restaurant
The location of a beloved Campbell restaurant that shut down during the pandemic could be redeveloped for housing. Saratoga-based E. Barbano Enterprises, LLC has submitted a proposed plan to redevelop the 2.4-acre property at 980 E. Campbell Ave., where the blighted Hick’ry Pit restaurant still stands. The preliminary design is for a seven-story building with...
Silicon Valley Business Alliance calls for halt to gas-appliance ban
A coalition of South Bay business leaders and anti-regulation advocates is urging Bay Area air regulators to halt a forthcoming ban on gas-powered water heater installations set to take effect next year. Dozens gathered in front of the Santa Clara County Government Center on Monday to take part in an event organized by the Silicon...
Mountain View approves 8-story condos after parkland fee dispute
A developer’s plan to build an eight-story condominium complex at a prominent gateway to downtown Mountain View got the greenlight Tuesday evening after a legal dispute over parkland fees threatened to derail the project earlier this year. In a split 4-2 vote, the City Council approved a 140-unit condominium project with nearly 10,000 square feet of ground floor retail...
Historic San Jose farmhouse seeks funds for renovations
A historic Japanese American farmhouse has found a new home after an eight-mile journey from what were once the orchards of North San Jose to the city’s History Park. A coalition of three local nonprofits, joined by San Jose Councilmember Rosemary Kamei, pushed the developer and the city to save the Sakauye farmhouse. The group...
The Biz Beat: San Jose’s Mama Flow Studio rethinks fitness
Cat Gieser transitioned from a high-pressure marketing career to becoming a perinatal movement specialist and certified birth doula. Through her Mama Flow Studio, she offers cutting-edge pre- and post-natal yoga programs, empowering women with a means of rehabilitation that goes far beyond simply helping them to “bounce back” after childbirth “What we do at Mama...
Santa Clara County could build bike-only park trails
The Bay Area is a paradox – both the birthplace of mountain biking and a well of local opposition. Now Santa Clara County is poised to embrace the sport in a major way. County leaders are exploring the creation of bike-only trails in county parks to avoid illegal tracks in sensitive areas and conflicts between...
Santa Clara County budget makes steep cuts to safety net programs
Santa Clara County leaders are recommending a net reduction of 464 jobs across the region’s social safety net programs to shoulder a $787 million deficit in their nearly $15 billion budget. County Executive James Williams’ Friday recommendations mark a 7.5% spending increase to the county budget compared to last year, as expenses continue to outpace...