After a long night of loud public pushback, the Santa Clara City Council decided to hold off on greenlighting a significant housing and retail complex in the city’s downtown. City Attorney Glen Googins suggested councilmembers postpone a decision on a housing and retail development at 950 Monroe St. until the Downtown Precise Plan—a redevelopment strategy...
Santa Clara mayor sent confidential report to private email
A day after Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor received a confidential report lambasting her political enemies, she forwarded it from her city account to her personal email. One legal expert says it raises questions about her intentions and whether she leaked the secret document—a charge that has landed her political rival in court. This news...
Taylor Swift boosted Silicon Valley economy by $33M
Swiftie or not, pop star Taylor Swift is undeniably a money magnet — and new financial figures show a massive boost for Silicon Valley’s economy from the artist’s two-day stop at Levi’s Stadium. Dan Rascher, president of Sports Economics, LLC, who analyzes the business of sporting events and concerts, told San José Spotlight that 60,000...
Santa Clara residents divided over pending condo development
A developer’s plan to reshape a city block with a six-story condominium complex is stirring controversy in Santa Clara. Residents are split over whether the proposed project at the corner of Monroe and Franklin streets will destroy the character of the city’s Old Quad neighborhood, or help jumpstart a vision for a renewed downtown. Some...
Urban farming development sprouts in Santa Clara
A first-of-its kind affordable housing development where residents can grow their own food is slated to begin welcoming tenants at the end of the month, sparking excitement among Santa Clara County community leaders. The development, Agrihood, offers 160 mixed-income apartments, 165 homes for low-income seniors and veterans and 36 townhomes on 5.8 acres. The property will...
Santa Clara police chief pay raise sparks criticism
Santa Clara’s police chief is set to receive a significant raise for the first time since stepping into the job in 2020, but some city officials think the money could be better spent elsewhere. Police Chief Pat Nikolai is getting the maximum city salary increase allowed at 10%, hiking his base pay from over $313,000 to more than...
Affordable apartment complex coming to Santa Clara
A major affordable apartment project is set to begin construction in Santa Clara on the site of a former YMCA. San Francisco-based Maracor Development plans to build 200 apartments on a nearly two-acre lot at 80 Saratoga Ave. A two-story building that housed a YMCA of Silicon Valley office and a separate automotive repair building...
Santa Clara officials won’t kick out embattled colleague
Demands for Santa Clara Councilmember Anthony Becker to resign ultimately went unheeded Tuesday, the conclusion of a seven-hour meeting often stalled by procedural minutiae and recriminations. The Santa Clara City Council voted 4-2 not to schedule a future debate over whether to press Becker to resign, with Becker abstaining. He stands accused of leaking a...
Santa Clara County scores 2026 Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is coming back to Levi’s Stadium, and businesses and residents are welcoming one of the nation’s largest sporting events even though it’s three years away. Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, home to the San Francisco 49ers, will host Super Bowl 60 in 2026 a decade after it hosted Super Bowl 50 in...
What new court records reveal about troubled Santa Clara official
Newly-released transcripts reveal astonishing details of the ongoing legal saga featuring Santa Clara Councilmember Anthony Becker, who pled not guilty to charges for the alleged leak of a secret grand jury report. The criminal grand jury heard testimony from 21 officials in March and April — from city leaders to political insiders and 49ers’ executives. Deputy District...