An East Side school district is moving forward on its efforts to provide affordable housing for teachers and other employees. Alum Rock Union School District’s $71.5 million bond known as Measure S is materializing five years after voters approved it to fund workforce housing and other capital improvements. Since then, affordable housing has worsened in...
Silicon Valley land trust begins repairs on aging apartments
Come this spring, plumbing problems, sinking floors and decaying walls will no longer be issues for the low-income families living at an East San Jose apartment complex — thanks to a nonprofit’s effort to preserve the city’s shrinking unsubsidized affordable housing stock. Construction has begun at The Virginian Apartments, located at 1718, 1724 and 1730...
Alum Rock trustees oppose ICE facility in South County
An East San Jose school district has joined a growing effort among local education leaders in opposing a planned federal immigration facility in South County. Supporters said it reaffirms the district’s commitment to protecting immigrant students and families. The Alum Rock Union School District board of trustees on Tuesday approved a resolution opposing the proposed facility in...
Second downtown San Jose venue shutters amid permit battle
Another late night venue in downtown San Jose has temporarily closed its doors amid bureaucratic wrangling over operating permits. San Pedro Social, a Santa Clara Street establishment that opened in 2022, announced the closure in late June, citing a need to cut expenses amid a protracted effort to obtain permits that would allow the venue...
UPDATE: East San Jose school district delays controversial health contract
Leaders in an East San Jose school district have delayed approving a contract with a controversial healthcare provider to teach students relationship skills. At a special meeting Tuesday, the Alum Rock Union School District board of trustees voted 3-2 to postpone approving a two-year contract with RealOptions Obria to help give sixth grade students the...
San Jose artist preserves fading Mexican art form
The hummingbird hanging beside 13-year-old Autumn Medina isn’t just another painting. Its purple, blue and green feathers remind her of her grandmother, who loved hummingbirds and whose yard was filled with the tiny birds every summer. The painting is in the style of maque y la laca perfilada, a traditional lacquer art form from the Mexican state...
Annual summer jazz fest returns to downtown San Jose
For years, thousands of music fans have packed the Latin Tropical Stage at San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, turning downtown into an open-air dance floor where salsa has long been one of the festival’s defining traditions. Christian Vela, associate artistic director with San Jose Jazz, the nonprofit group that hosts the annual festival, wants to keep...
Five finalists for renaming downtown San Jose plaza
San Jose residents suggested more than 600 new names for one of the city’s oldest public spaces. City officials have narrowed the final choices down to five. Officials are asking residents to fill out an online survey ranking the five potential new names for Plaza de César Chávez in downtown. The options are Plaza de...
Japanese grocery store opens in downtown San Jose
A new grocer has come to downtown San Jose, erasing its reputation as a food desert. Sakura Market, located on the ground floor below the San Jose State University dorms at 184 S. Market St. and next to the Signia hotel, opened its doors Friday. Part of the Osaka Marketplace brand, the specialty Japanese grocery...
Vacant San Jose building becomes new home for local artists
A long-vacant building near downtown San Jose is getting new life as a creative hub, with local artists preparing to move into studio spaces as early as next month. Local Color is transforming the ground floor of the Davidson Building at 255 W. Julian St. into the Big Arts Building through a partnership with developer...