Come next summer, San Jose will open dozens of more beds for homeless people who want to stay in a sober living environment. The Salvation Army on Nov. 3 broke ground on a tiny home village called HOPE Community, which will add 74 beds on its property. Each tiny home could house several people, and...
Political newcomer enters District 9 San Jose council race
Next year’s June primary election is still seven months out, but the battle lines are already taking shape in the District 9 San Jose City Council race. A relative newcomer to San Jose politics is stepping in to a crowded field that includes a well-established City Hall staffer. Lifelong District 9 resident Genny Altwer, a...
San Jose politician’s rival runs for D7 seat
An alleged abuse of public resources. A mocking Facebook video. A series of unusual dramas has marked a bitter feud between the office of District 7 San Jose Councilmember Bien Doan and East Side Union High School District Trustee Van Le. Le said she will run against Doan when he’s up for reelection next year —...
San Jose homeless hotel faces complaints from neighbors
San Jose placed people swept from its largest homeless encampment in motels earlier this year, but neighbors near one location are raising safety concerns. Residents near the Bristol Hotel at 3341 S. Bascom Ave. on the border of San Jose and Campbell said RVs have appeared near the motel since homeless people began living there...
Agreement lets San Jose clean up Caltrans property
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...