San Jose has a new name for its downtown plaza after months of community engagement, following allegations of sexual abuse against the late civil rights leader César Chávez for whom the space was named. The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved renaming the 3.4-acre public space Plaza de San Jose, following a city-led process that...
San Jose could combine two options to rename downtown plaza
A nearly 250-year-old gathering place in downtown San Jose could soon have a new name, combining two of the top-ranked choices from the city’s monthslong renaming process. The San Jose Parks and Recreation Commission voted Wednesday to recommend renaming Plaza de César Chávez to Plaza del Pueblo de San Jose, a name proposed by Commissioner...
San Jose increases parking garage rates, but not meters
It took three attempts for the San Jose City Council to reach a compromise Tuesday on contentious parking rate changes, with officials approving higher garage rates and special event fees while putting off plans for downtown meter rate increases and extended evening meter hours. The final proposal passed 7-3 — with Councilmembers Peter Ortiz, Bien...
San Jose parking official raises alarms about rate hike plan
A San Jose parking official is calling for the city to pause discussions on a controversial plan to hike parking rates, arguing it must first address longstanding concerns over the management of revenue from parking fees. In an open letter sent Friday to councilmembers and city administrators, Downtown Parking Board Vice Chair Tamiko Rast leveled...
San Jose attempts phased increase for downtown parking rates
San Jose officials are preparing to roll out a revised proposal to increase downtown parking rates, after the original plan met opposition from the city’s business community. The new plan — set to go before the City Council on Tuesday — seeks to soften the financial blow to businesses and workers. It does this in part...
The Biz Beat: Worker-owned eatery serves San Jose State students
Owner Richard Hobbs said that when he purchased Peanuts Deluxe Cafe in early 2025, he had more in mind than simply renovating the popular but “fully dilapidated” restaurant across from San Jose State University by slapping on a coat of paint and installing new booths and tables. “I thought this would be a golden opportunity...
Fourth annual Lowrider Day returns to downtown San Jose
Lowriders will cruise into downtown San Jose this weekend, bringing a piece of East San Jose’s Chicano culture to City Hall for an afternoon of custom cars, music and celebration. San Jose Lowrider Day returns Sunday for its fourth year, marking the anniversary of the City Council’s decision to repeal a decades-old cruising ban. The celebration...
New fire station opens in downtown San Jose
One of San Jose’s busiest fire stations has a new, state-of-the-art facility in downtown that will better serve its firefighters and residents. The San Jose Fire Department, city leaders and neighborhood residents on Thursday celebrated the opening of Fire Station 8 at 601 E. Santa Clara St. The previous fire station, located a few blocks...
San Jose officials to weigh new name for downtown plaza
A name change for one of downtown San Jose’s most recognizable public gathering places is moving closer to a decision, after thousands of residents weighed in on what the plaza should be called. The Parks and Recreation Commission on Sept. 2 is expected to make a recommendation to the City Council on renaming Plaza de...
Downtown San Jose venue faces closure after permit denial
Representatives for a late night venue in downtown San Jose said their business may close for good, after the City Council declined to grant a permit to stay open after midnight. San Pedro Social, located on Santa Clara Street, closed its doors in June, citing financial troubles brought about by its inability to tap into...