A new report from University of Southern California researchers breaks down estimated local benefits of an upcoming ballot measure to reform Proposition 13, including $1.2 billion in Santa Clara County — assuming county assessors can handle the momentous task of implementing the changes. Overall, an estimated $12 billion could potentially be reclaimed by communities across...
Access v. Abuse: Disabled community still struggles for access
Access v. Abuse: The ADA’s Impact in Silicon Valley Part 2 A San Jose father of three took his kids to their cousin’s 6th birthday party at a Chuck E. Cheese one afternoon a few weeks ago, but was stopped dead in his tracks the minute he entered the room. He watched as his kids...
San Jose’s new business tax amnesty program expected to generate $1M
San Jose adopted a business tax in the 1960s as a revenue stream for the city’s general fund, which pays for everything from police and fire service to roads, parks and libraries. And for the fifth time since the law was modernized in the 1980s, the city is offering an amnesty program for business owners...
Access v. Abuse: Crema Coffee in San Jose closes due to ADA lawsuit
Access v. Abuse: The ADA’s Impact in Silicon Valley Part 1 San Jose’s Cafe Crema, known for its charming, cozy feel and homey exterior, closed its doors for good on Friday marking the end of an era for one of the city’s most frequented mom and pop coffee shops. A political bastion on The Alameda...
As San Jose braces for growth, leaders talk how to balance community impacts
When it comes to new office and residential development, San Jose has become the proverbial belle of the South Bay ball after about a decade of almost no commercial growth in the city’s downtown core. Officials, urban planners, business leaders and residents are bracing for proposals that could double the amount of office space in...
San Jose, Santa Clara head to mediation over north San Jose development
San Jose and Santa Clara may soon head to mediation over the future of north San Jose, an industrial part of the city projected to become a major mixed-use hub — if plans for the area can be pushed forward. San Jose city officials have long aimed to see the corner of the city tucked...
San Jose city, business leaders announce new ‘Innovation Zone’
San Jose city officials and business leaders on Thursday unveiled a new “innovation zone” on the city’s west side, where companies can test new technology and the onetime Century 21 theater building may become a new “Innovation Hub.” The new innovation zone, announced by San Jose Vice Mayor Chappie Jones and Councilmember Dev Davis will...
Amid opposition, San Jose approves hotel’s use of San Pedro Square garage
Despite opposition from neighbors and downtown businesses, San Jose lawmakers approved a plan to allow guests of a proposed 19-story hotel with more than 200 rooms to park off-site at a public parking garage. The arrangement approved Tuesday between the proposed Almaden Corner Hotel and the city to allow hotel guests to use up to...
Q&A with Carl Guardino as Silicon Valley Leadership Group CEO prepares to step down
Carl Guardino made a surprise announcement Tuesday he’d step down from his 23-year role with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, where he serves as CEO and wields enormous influence throughout the Bay Area. But the unanswered questions around his upcoming transition out of the key business group, which is expected to take up to nine...
Carl Guardino leaves Silicon Valley Leadership Group
Carl Guardino, the longtime president and CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, who championed public policy in San Jose for more than 20 years, publicly announced Tuesday he is stepping down from his role as the business organization’s influential executive. Guardino, 58, has been with the organization since 1997 and for nearly 24 years...