After more than three years of community wrangling and negotiations, one of the world’s largest tech giants will have a home in downtown San Jose. The San Jose City Council Tuesday voted unanimously to approve Google’s Downtown West project, a multi-billion dollar plan by the company to expand into downtown San Jose. “Thousands of our...
Venture capitalist bringing green to downtown San Jose
The 96-year-old Bank of Italy building in downtown San Jose is one of the area’s most recognizable structures—a relic of Rennaisance Revival architecture in the middle of modern high rises. Soon, venture capitalist real estate developer Gary Dillabough, 58, will add a series of hanging gardens to the building’s facade. “We’re hoping to leverage experiences and...
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San Jose Flea Market vendors demand lawmakers reject development plans
The San Jose Planning Commission’s recommendation for a development plan that dramatically shrinks the size of the flea market was not the outcome vendors and their families wanted. More than 20 vendors and advocates gathered in front of San Jose City Hall on Tuesday to demand Mayor Sam Liccardo and other councilmembers reject plans for...
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San Jose Flea Market to get new life amid public market development
City leaders and San Jose Flea Market representatives say they’re a step closer to preserving the beloved public space. On Tuesday, market representatives and Councilmember David Cohen, whose district includes the flea market, said they reached an agreement to establish 3.5 acres for an urban market on the current site. The move means the Flea...
San Jose Sharks take another bite out of Google development proposal
The San Jose Sharks say they want 4,800 parking spaces in exchange for their approval of Google’s proposed downtown campus—nearly 2,000 more than what the city promises to maintain during construction. The team took a bigger bite out of the the city’s development agreement with Google on Sunday, posting a newsletter that urged fans to contact the...
East San Jose housing group looks to hold developers accountable
As a prolific housing developer unveils plans in East San Jose, a new coalition is holding it accountable for maintaining acceptable living conditions. Peter Ortiz, a community organizer and policy advisor for the Alum Rock Santa Clara Street Business Association, founded the East San Jose Tenants Coalition in early April after a San José Spotlight...
San Jose Sharks oppose Google development agreement
The San Jose Sharks are taking a bite out of Google’s plan to build a massive downtown campus. The NHL team voiced deep concern with the city’s development agreement with Google for its proposed campus, saying efforts to preserve parking near SAP Center are inadequate. “The city and Google are heading down a path that...
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San Jose development leaves residents, local groups wanting more
Renee Heymann, owner of K9 Keep Fit, a dog daycare across the street from the Cambrian Park Plaza in San Jose, relies on the plaza’s iconic carousel sign to tell customers where her business is. “It’s nostalgic,” Heymann said of the plaza. “Everyone knows this place. It has a quaintness to it.” A massive redevelopment of...
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San Jose commission delays decision on flea market development
With hundreds of flea market vendors holding their breath, a San Jose panel chose to pause discussions on a major development—at least for now. At the center of the debate is a plan to densify a portion of the iconic flea market on Berryessa Road in San Jose. The proposal seeks to approve up to...
What happens to major East San Jose project after developer is charged with fraud?
When Jesús Flores first heard about the drama with SiliconSage — the upstart developer being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly defrauding investors — he said he felt dismayed. “We’re worried about what’s going to happen,” said Flores, president of Latino Business Foundation Silicon Valley. “This is very sad and frustrating for...