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In 2015, city leaders seeking to define the future of San Jose went on a junket to Denver and became mesmerized by the digital signs that Rocky Mountain city decided would make its downtown Theater District more “exciting.” The bright, shiny digital billboards and seductive promise to Denver’s government of revenue from advertising started a...
In socially distant times, a downtown San Jose social venue struggles to open
Before the pandemic, two downtown San Jose bar owners joined forces with a vision for an entertainment venue in San Pedro Square. What they had in mind was a place where people would come together and socialize. It would have a bowling alley, a karaoke bar and an arcade. Co-owners David Mulvehill and Mike Messinger...
Activists protest sweep of San Jose homeless camp, call it a photo-op
Advocates for the homeless gathered Monday to protest an upcoming sweep this week of an encampment, comparing the action to former President Donald Trump’s church photo-op and calling it cruel and out of touch. “We have open buildings, we have the space. There’s no need for these people to be on the street in inclement...
The fight against digital billboards in San Jose heats up
A local grassroots organization is urging lawmakers to halt plans for erecting electronic billboards throughout San Jose. In 2018, the San Jose City Council approved Phase 1 of a two-part plan that would increase the number of digital signs in the city. Phase 1 would allow up to 22 billboards on 17 city-owned sites. The council...
Safety concerns in downtown San Jose a focus for business leaders
The recent robbery of a 64-year-old Asian woman on South Second Street in Downtown San Jose was on the minds of attendees at San Jose Downtown Association’s first virtual public meeting of the year. The discussion of downtown safety was a last-minute addition to the meeting’s agenda. But the association said its agenda had to...
San Jose police chief finalists talk racial equity, biased policing and use of force
Seven law enforcement leaders vying to be San Jose’s next police chief Saturday answered questions from residents about everything from racial equity to biased policing and use of force. The virtual forum was facilitated by Gary Peterson, who led the recruitment process. He picked a handful of questions from more than 500 submitted through an online survey. The forum...
San Jose mayor forms new advocacy group to get ‘a little more control’
Mayor Sam Liccardo has started a new advocacy organization called “Solutions San Jose.” Some political insiders say it could rival lobbying and fundraising activities of the Silicon Valley Organization, the area’s largest chamber of commerce which has lost business members and dissolved its PAC following a scandal last year over its use of a racist...
Hazard pay is coming to San Jose for grocery workers
Hazard pay is finally on its way for San Jose grocery workers. After hours of debate, the San Jose City Council voted 7-3 on Tuesday to give retail food workers an extra $3 per hour for putting their health at risk during the pandemic. Hazard pay would apply only to stores that have over 300...
San Jose leaders agree Thomas Fallon statue must be removed
After residents demanded for decades the Thomas Fallon statue, seen as a symbol of oppression by many, be taken from its lofty perch in the center of downtown San Jose, a key panel agreed. The Rules and Open Government Committee of the San Jose City Council, which sets future City Council agendas, voted unanimously Wednesday...