The School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza is gearing up to launch San Jose’s first distinct cultural district. Housing Trust Silicon Valley, a nonprofit community development group, announced on June 11 it will award a $50,000 grant to the School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza. As the plaza celebrated...
San Jose restaurant to be replaced by Chick-fil-A
Neighborhood-wide efforts to save a San Jose restaurant have been quashed in favor of a new fast-food eatery. Planning Director Christopher Burton on Wednesday approved a Chick-fil-A at 255 Race St. off West San Carlos Street because the location is considered underused — despite a longstanding family restaurant operating at the site. The decision solidifies...
San Jose residents win fight to stop housing project
City officials have sided with homeowners opposed to a proposed 17-story apartment complex that would have added hundreds of homes in West San Jose. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to deny plans to construct 135 homes and 15,000 square feet of commercial retail space at 826 N. Winchester Blvd. Neighborhood residents who...
San Jose loans housing developer $5M after political donations
City leaders are committing millions of dollars in loans to an affordable housing provider after the company’s officers donated thousands to San Jose elected officials. The San Jose City Council on June 3 unanimously approved up to $5 million in loans for the “Gateway Tower” project, a 15-story 220-apartment development between 493 S. First St....
Los Gatos group proposes new community center
A West Valley town doesn’t have a central community hub. One local group is trying to fix that. The Los Gatos Thrives Foundation, a nonprofit focused on helping older adults, recently unveiled conceptual designs of a potential new community center. The designs signal the start of plans to build a multigenerational community center in a town that’s been...
Housing project across from Los Gatos High moves forward
A controversial Los Gatos housing project next to the town high school is moving forward, despite residents raising safety concerns. The Los Gatos Town Council voted 3-2 May 27 to approve a 30-home, mixed-use development located at 143-151 E. Main St. across from Los Gatos High School. Mayor Matthew Hudes and Councilmember Mary Badame voted...
San Jose Chick-fil-A could displace family-owned restaurant
A Mexican restaurant serving San Jose residents for more than 20 years may be pushed out of its building to make way for a new fast-food location. Taqueria Eduardo on 255 Race St. off West San Carlos Street is one of two San Jose locations owned by Luis Martinez. But that could drop to one if...
Santa Clara residents say Agrihood apartments making them sick
Situated a stone’s throw away from the upscale Santana Row and Westfield Valley Fair shopping centers, the celebrated Agrihood Sustainable Community was promised to provide low-income and homeless older adults with a dignified place to live — complete with an 1.5-acre urban farm for residents to grow their own vegetables. Less than two years after...
Cupertino assisted living facility scales down parking, retail
Plans for a Cupertino assisted living facility are moving forward, but with significantly less retail than originally envisioned. The Cupertino City Council voted 4-1 May 20 to approve modified plans for a 136-home, mixed-use assisted living facility for older adults along Stevens Creek Boulevard. Changes include eliminating 146 underground parking spaces and reducing ground floor retail...
Housing could replace North Sunnyvale grocery stores
Sunnyvale has been struggling to preserve grocery stores in its northern neighborhoods, and residents are frustrated with plans to build more housing that would push the area toward being a food desert. True Life Companies has plans to develop 101 townhomes that would replace the Lakewood Shopping Center, which includes New Wing Yuan Market, one of...