San Jose can’t keep its story straight when it comes to opening a safe parking site for homeless residents at the Santa Teresa VTA light rail station parking lot. Initially, the project intended to offer refuge to RV dwellers in the surrounding South San Jose neighborhoods. But after the monthlong sweep at Columbus Park forced more...
In tight San Jose mayor’s race, Matt Mahan slightly ahead of Cindy Chavez
Last updated 5 p.m. on Tuesday. The next update is expected at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. San Jose Councilmember Matt Mahan has emerged as the frontrunner in the highly-anticipated and competitive San Jose mayor’s race. With 90% of total ballots counted as of Tuesday night, Mahan leads with 51.3% of the vote. Santa Clara County Supervisor...
Will San Jose OK mayor’s last overseas trip?
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo will likely be on another continent when voters decide who will replace him next month. On Wednesday, the city Rules and Open Government committee approved Liccardo’s travel request to Egypt from Nov. 4-12. He’s flying on his own dime to the U.N. Climate Change Conference to speak about San Jose’s innovative...
UPDATE: San Jose looks to count RV dwellers
San Jose is closer to counting how many residents living in RVs are lining city streets and creeks. A proposal to tally the city’s RV dwellers passed unanimously at Wednesday’s Rules and Open Government committee meeting. The timeline and cost for the RV count will go back to the committee in three to four weeks...
How one new San Jose official is preparing to take office
While several San Jose City Council candidates are in the final stretch of campaigning, Rosemary Kamei is already setting up her office. District 1 Councilmember-elect Kamei, a Santa Clara County Board of Education trustee, won the seat outright in the June primary election. She spent the summer with her sisters and 90-year-old mother, but now she’s rolling up her sleeves...
What’s next for outgoing San Jose mayor, councilmembers?
After eight years on the 18th floor of City Hall, four San Jose elected officials are on their way out. Some are planning their next political moves, while others prepare to go back to their old non-political jobs. San Jose is weeks away from electing a new mayor and at least two new councilmembers during the November election. District...
Full transcript: San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo’s 2022 State of the City
Editor’s Note: This is a transcript of Mayor Sam Liccardo’s full 2022 State of the City address. Friends, good evening. In my tenure, I’ve had the blessing of serving a wonderful community, beside an incredible team of people. I’ve also been blessed by a wife who has been my confidante, honest critic, sage advisor, and sympathetic ear. Thank...
How San Jose City Hall transitions of power happen
This story is part of a project called Democracy Day, in which newsrooms across the country are shining a light on threats to democracy and what action is needed to protect it. Even though the San Jose mayoral election is nearly two months away, preparations are already well underway inside City Hall to ensure a smooth...
San Jose BART plans take a new turn
A controversial design element of a multi-billion-dollar BART plan to downtown San Jose could be shifting under a new proposal. The BART extension project is set to cost $6.9 billion, according to VTA estimates, but federal estimates place that closer to $9.1 billion. It will run from the current end of the line in Berryessa through Little...
UPDATE: Appeal to stop West San Jose hotel denied
A group of West San Jose residents’ last ditch effort to stop development on a six-story hotel on Winchester Boulevard has failed. Residents Gaz Salihue, Shehana Marikar and others on behalf of the Hamann Park neighborhood appealed the environmental review and special use permit for a 119-room hotel at 1212-1224 S. Winchester Blvd. They’ve opposed...