Residents at an East San Jose affordable housing complex found an apparent loophole in the city’s rent control policy that favors the property owner and are fighting an October rent hike. Chanting “Sí, se puede,” which translate to “Yes, we can,” roughly 100 residents and local organizers took to the streets to protest a 10%...
East San Jose school nets millions from state
An East San Jose school is receiving millions in state funding for early learning education, which officials say will provide crucial support for students, especially those from communities of color. The Cesar Chavez Early Learning Center is getting $7 million through the California Department of Education’s State Preschool program. The Alum Rock Union School District site...
Downtown San Jose council candidates disagree on issues
San Jose’s downtown council seat is up for grabs, and the two candidates running for the District 3 spot couldn’t be more different. At a Friday debate hosted by the San Jose Downtown Association, candidates Omar Torres and Irene Smith shared their vision for the downtown core. Torres was the frontrunner after the June primary...
Closed San Jose golf course may become housing
East San Jose residents are raising alarms over the potential development of a massive former golf course. An obscure policy change recommended by the city’s Transportation and Environment Committee could lay the foundation for the 114-acre former Pleasant Hills Golf Course to be built out with housing, commercial space or both. The committee is pushing...
San Jose church tackles teacher housing
Grace Chaverini’s morning commute is a walk right across the street to St. John Vianney’s Catholic school, thanks to the church’s innovative approach to teacher housing. The Catholic parish transformed its convent into teacher housing for 16 people in an effort to offset living costs for educators. The East San Jose church is looking for...
San Jose BART plans take a new turn
A controversial design element of a multi-billion-dollar BART plan to downtown San Jose could be shifting under a new proposal. The BART extension project is set to cost $6.9 billion, according to VTA estimates, but federal estimates place that closer to $9.1 billion. It will run from the current end of the line in Berryessa through Little...
‘There’s always hope’: How Eddie Garcia fought for Latinos in Silicon Valley
Heart attack, lung failure and an induced coma weren’t the only hurdles in the life of East San Jose native Eddie Garcia. As a child of color he had to work twice as hard to succeed even before he almost died. Garcia, 58, was raised in East San Jose. His dad was a postal worker,...
Vietnamese voters could sway San Jose mayor’s race
The two candidates running for San Jose mayor are clamoring for support from the city’s vast Vietnamese population—a longtime formidable voting bloc. San Jose boasts the largest Vietnamese American population in the nation. With nearly 180,000 residents, the community accounts for roughly 10% of the city’s electorate. General elections in San Jose typically see 50% voter...
Event highlights East San Jose streetwear
A movement to elevate streetwear and promote local artists is bringing cultural pride to East San Jose. Rap artists, hip hop dancers and live painters entertained crowds at KixCon, an inaugural event held at the Eastridge Center mall last weekend. Featuring brands born from hip hop culture, the goal of the event was to uplift...
Housing vs. transit: Why VTA opposes San Jose tower
A major residential development being eyed for downtown San Jose has been given the green light from the city, but the project may never be built due to a property dispute with a transit agency. The 26-story Eterna Tower project, which Roygbiv Real Estate Development is hoping to build at 17-31 E. Santa Clara St.,...