San Jose is cleaning up state-owned land in an attempt to keep freeway underpasses free of homeless encampments. San Jose and Caltrans have an agreement that allows the city to clean up trash and sweep encampments on 13 sites owned by the state. California will partially reimburse the costs up to $400,000, and the city is in...
Downtown San Jose Planning Commission seat still vacant
Not long after Anthony Tordillos won the June special election for the District 3 San Jose City Council seat, he had to vacate his role on the Planning Commission. His commission seat has been vacant for nearly three months, leaving downtown without a voice on an influential government body that helps steer the city’s land-use...
San Jose affordable apartment tower nears construction
After more than a decade of planning and delays, a 15-story, 100% affordable apartment building known as The Gateway Tower is set to break ground in downtown San Jose’s SoFA District early next year. The breakthrough comes after developer The Core Companies announced it had secured all necessary funding to move forward with the $197-million construction...
Top Silicon Valley PG&E executive is out
PG&E has parted ways with a top executive representing Silicon Valley, following this news organization’s reporting on the executive’s involvement in a City Council campaign that received money from the energy giant. Teresa Alvarado announced her separation from the Bay Area’s $40 billion investor-owned power utility on LinkedIn last month. For the past four years,...
San Jose homeless hotel gets new management
A San Jose hotel converted to homeless housing is switching operators, and residents are welcoming the change. Nonprofit service provider WeHope will take over the Arena Hotel at 817 The Alameda starting Dec. 1 and replace HomeFirst. It will provide case management and temporarily manage the property, security and food until San Jose hires another...
UPDATE: San Jose officials approve temporary tobacco shop ban
The San Jose City Council has enacted a temporary moratorium blocking the establishment of new tobacco shops throughout the city as officials draw up a long-term plan to regulate such businesses. Councilmembers voted unanimously Tuesday to halt the issuance of new licenses for local tobacco businesses, including retailers, smoke shops and smoking lounges. The 45-day...
Federal workers in San Jose get free meals during shutdown
A food service provider is stepping up to provide hot meals to federal workers at the San Jose airport during the government shutdown. The workers haven’t been paid since Oct. 1 and food insecurity is prevalent. During the shutdown, Martha’s Kitchen is providing more than 800 meals a week to 340 Transportation Security Administration (TSA)...
San José Spotlight sues city over secret messages
San José Spotlight is suing San Jose City Hall and the city’s police department after they repeatedly refused to release an inflammatory text thread involving several councilmembers. The lawsuit filed Wednesday seeks the disclosure of “Tammany Hall” — a group chat that allegedly involved Councilmembers Peter Ortiz, Domingo Candelas and former Councilmember Omar Torres, who was arrested...
Fed food cuts spur San Jose eatery to offer free meals
Bay Area restaurants are stepping up to provide meals to families affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown and the looming loss of food stamps. Tony & Alba’s Pizza & Pasta in San Jose is offering free meals to children and a 25% discount to parents until the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is funded....
San Jose council approves policies to freeze ICE out
San Jose continues to strengthen protections for its immigrant communities by prohibiting federal immigration agents from hiding their identity and advancing plans to prevent ICE from using city-owned properties for enforcement. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously for both policies on Tuesday. The city attorney created an unmasking policy that prohibits all law enforcement...