Great cities have thriving downtowns, where the entire community can partake in joyful and affordable cultural experiences. That is why it is so exciting that San Jose, the national Levitt Foundation and Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose have a formal partnership to bring a state-of-the-art performance venue to St. James Park.
After 13 years of dreaming, designing and extensive community input, this vision now has momentum to become reality. Friends of Levitt San Jose has the vote of confidence from the city and Levitt Foundation to lead community efforts in programming this new music pavilion where all San Joseans are welcome — sparking civic pride, increasing public safety and adding to the economic vitality and arts and culture ecosystem in San Jose.
One reason this project has taken so long to complete is due to a 2020 lawsuit filed against the city by the Saint Claire Historic Preservation Foundation — part of a private men’s club that borders St. James Park. The city prevailed in that suit, with one exception: The state appellate court advised San Jose to modify language in its historic preservation ordinance to affirm its existing authority to weigh project benefits against potential detriments when considering projects being built in historic districts. The City Council is following this direction and will vote on the change Dec. 2 so that public benefit offerings, like the Levitt Pavilion, can be built for all residents of San Jose to enjoy.
Unfortunately, the Saint Claire is once again trying to delay this project by manufacturing a ‘Save St. James Historic District’ campaign, falsely claiming that if the city follows a Court of Appeal’s direction, the city council has blanket authority to bulldoze historic buildings. This is simply not true, and it’s another attempt by Sainte Claire to try to delay the pavilion in order to keep the park passive.
Levitt pavilions around the country offer 40-50 free, professionally produced concerts of all musical genres annually. Pavilions are also available for use by community groups, schools and arts organizations. With no fence, no seating, no front or back row, everyone has equal access to the open lawn. Levitt pavilions have resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in capital investment and economic activity in once underutilized, challenged neighborhoods. We anticipate more than $14 million in downtown spending every year as a result of Levitt’s free programming. Restaurants, small businesses, property values and most importantly, residents, all stand to benefit.
A recent San Jose Downtown Association survey of Starlight Cinema attendees in St. James Park found that 92% of people feel safe or very safe in the park when there is an event. That number plummets to 30% without events. Consistent park activation equals safety.
San Jose has an incredible opportunity — with investments from the city, private donors and the Levitt Foundation — to bring the most significant public performance venue to downtown since the SAP Center. Let’s not put up barriers to this remarkable project.
With change, often comes resistance. We saw this when the San Jose Arena was proposed. Now, can you imagine San Jose without the Sharks?
It’s time for San Jose to take the next step in its evolution as a city, to stop exporting our entertainment dollars to San Francisco and give residents the golden opportunity to experience the power of live music and the arts here at home.
We cannot let a private men’s club hold St. James Park hostage. Let’s welcome this gift with open arms to benefit our neighbors, local musicians, schools and business owners. Let’s come together and get it built.
Michelle Dreyband is vice chair of Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose and a St. James neighborhood resident. Fil Maresca is board chair of Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose. Steve Polycn is former chair of the San Jose Historic Landmarks Commission.
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