NOVEMBER 2009
VOLUME1II/ ISSUE 11
| DISTRICT 3 | NOVEMBER 2009 |
VOLUME1II/ ISSUE 11 |
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There's Still Time to Resigter for the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving!
Progress on a Medical Clinic and Watson Park Although they occurred seventy years apart, the closure of two facilities have had lasting impacts on our downtown neighborhoods. In 2004, the San Jose Medical Center (SJMC) shut its doors, leaving a downtown community seeking more accessible medical care. Seventy years earlier, a trash dump and incinerator shut down in Northside, and city officials promptly (and unwittingly) constructed a park there, on top of soil contaminated with toxic ash not discovered until 2005. As I came into office in January 2007, I knew that I’d invest many hours addressing each of those challenges with stakeholders and community partners, and I’m pleased to report real progress on each front. As many of you have recently read, the County has recently announced its interest in purchasing the entire 13-acre parcel that comprised the former hospital. As I describe in this newsletter, the County will rehabilitate a 38,000 square foot building, located on the north side of East Santa Clara Street between 15th and 16th, for the provision of primary care and after-hours urgent care. By choosing rehab over more costly new construction, the County accelerates the timeline for the delivery of a functioning clinic to the downtown community. For all of this, we can thank our fellow voters, who approved funding with the Measure A ballot measure that passed with overwhelming support in November of 2008. By collaborating with the County, we’ll have an opportunity to bring new mixed-use development to a site that will reinvigorate surrounding neighborhoods and the struggling East Santa Clara Business District. It has been five years since a plume of lead and arsenic in the soil forced the closure of Watson Park, along with the excavation of several backyards of worried homeowners along nearby Terrace Drive. After years of efforts to obtain environmental clearance and permits from state and local agencies, we’ve finally obtained the green light to move forward, and construction began in the Spring of this year. While work will halt for several months to avoid prohibited impacts on sensitive riparian habitat, we remain on schedule to complete the first phase of the reconstruction of Watson Park by the fall of 2010. At the re-opening, residents will enjoy a lighted soccer field with bleachers, a dog park, a tot lot, several basketball courts, and a walking trail. Within months, we’ll finish a second soccer field, an additional access road, and other amenities. For residents along Terrace Drive, what began as an amicable agreement for the City to clean contaminated soil in several yards disintegrated into legal wrangling, miscommunication, and mistrust. As talks stalled, I urged re-engagement, and a team led by Public Works Director Katy Allen responded by performing additional soil excavation to resolve lingering concerns among homeowners about residual toxics. Meanwhile, negotiations have progressed in recent months, and our City Attorney’s office is completing settlement documents to bring to the Council for approval in December. Obviously, we still have much work to do, but an end is in sight. With a common commitment and a collaborative spirit, we’ll build assets worth of the community’s aspirations.
Sincerely, Sam Liccardo |
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Contact Us D3 Staff |
New First-Time Buyer Assistance Program Launched The nonprofit organization, Housing Trust of Santa Clara County and American Home Equity Partners have created an innovative first time homebuyer loan called the Equity Share Co Investment Program (the ESCO Program).
Construction Update for the 13th Street/Japantown Area The following construction activities can be expected during the months of November and December in the 13th St / Japantown area:
For more information on projects scheduled for the 13th Street / Japantown Area, please visit https://cpms.sanjoseca.gov/pub/index.cfm.
Council Passes Bold Bicycle Program in the Downtown
Councilmember Liccardo who is vice chair of Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) pushed for a pilot bicycle share program to be incorporated into the City’s master plan. City staff and VTA staff are currently developing a regional pilot “bike share” at key transit stations in the downtown areas of San Jose, Palo Alto and Mountain View. It’s anticipated funding for the bike share will be awarded in the next two months.
In addition to working with the VTA a trial bike-share program, two projects in particular in the City’s Bicycle Master Plan will make giant steps in creating a bicycle friendly city. The first is the San Fernando bikeway, a painted, buffered bicycle lane from Diridon Station a mile and a half to downtown destinations, such as San Jose State University.
Proposed by Councilmember Liccardo and Mayor Reed in August 2008, the second project of note is a bi-directional, physically separated cycle track on 4th Street from St. James Street to San Carlos Street, intersecting the San Fernando colored lane and linking up Japantown and destinations north with the downtown core. The DOT intends to remove a lane of vehicular traffic to make room for the cycle track, move the parking lane off the curb, and run the cycle track curbside. Numerous technical difficulties still need to be worked out, particularly the challenge of minimizing turning conflicts at the intersections where bi-directional bicycle traffic would create signal and visibility issues. Implementing this plan will set San Jose on a course to achieve a place among the great cycling communities in the nation. To view the plan, click here.
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Heel Bar Celebrates Grand Opening Downtown
The Heel Bar not only repairs shoes, they custom make western boots and belts as well. They also do leather alterations, replace jacket linings, repair purses and also repair all makes of luggage. Vince and Walt have been running small business for 30 and 20 years, respectively. The Heel Bar is located at 134 E. Santa Clara St. Welcome to the Downtown!
You are Invited to Help Shape the Cultural of San José The City of San José is preparing a Cultural Vision Plan to guide the community's cultural development in the coming decade. This plan will inform Envision San José 2040, the update to the City's general plan and will also function as a stand alone plan for the Office of Cultural Affairs, City government and our partners in the community. It is a noteworthy milestone that, for the first time in San José's history, the City's general plan will include a strategic vision and goals for arts and culture that will serve as a blueprint for cultural development for the next 10-15 years.
California Theatre Winter Movies 2009 Schedule Announced
Thursday 17th & Friday 18th – The Wizard of Oz Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th – A Christmas Carol Thursday 24th – It’s a Wonderful Life Friday, 25th – A Christmas Story Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th – The Adventures of Robin Hood Don’t miss this unique theatre experience. The California Theatre is located at 345 S. First Street.
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Celebrate San José’s Birthday at its Founding Site — Peralta Adobe
The Peralta Adobe, and the newly restored Fallon House, will be open for docent-led tours from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. during the event. This 232nd San José Birthday event includes tours of the two-room Peralta Adobe. The recamera or bedroom showing the very earliest lifestyle of the settlers and the sala or living room illustrating the Mexican Rancho period. Also, visitors may tour the newly restored 1855 Fallon House, across the street from the Peralta Adobe. This fully furnished 14-room Victorian mansion The Peralta Adobe was built in 1797, 20 years after the first settlers arrived. It is located at 175 West St. John Street, near San Pedro Square, in downtown San José. The Peralta Adobe is now the only remaining adobe from the first pueblo in Alta, California.
Help in November San José Public Library Book Drive Help the San José Public Library get all the books needed for the upcoming Holiday Book Giveaway Program. The SJPL needs 3,000 new (or like-new) children’s books for Holiday Book Giveaway Programs to be held in San José during this holiday season. Donation books can be brought to any public library location during November.
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There’s Still Time to Trot on Thanksgiving! Before the much-anticipated Thanksgiving dinner, take the family to the Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, November 26th for a 5K or 10K course raising monies for charities that provide families with basic necessities.
For more information or to register, please visit the website.
District 3 Skating Night at Downtown Ice Councilmember Sam Liccardo invites you to District 3 Night of Ice-Skating at Downtown Ice on Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. District 3 residents will receive one free admission with one paid admission (must show proof of residency).
For the special event Dec. 15, print out the appropriate coupon and bring it to the rink. This special deal includes skate rental. From Nov. 20-Jan. 18, Downtown Ice is located at the Circle of Palms off Market Street next to the San José Museum of Art in downtown San José. Open Sunday, noon-10 p.m.; Monday-Thursday, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m.-midnight; and Saturday, noon-midnight. Adult admission is normally $15 and 12-younger is $13. For more information call 279-1775 or visit www.sjdowntown.com. |
Heritage Holiday — Past & Present Holiday Celebration This year’s annual Heritage Holiday —Past and Present, hosted by History San José, will feature a traditional Heritage Holiday Tea. With three seatings, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., the high tea will feature teas from San José’s newest tearoom Teagré, as well as delicacies from Crunch Catering, all served by costumed performers from Shady Shakespeare Theatre Company. Reservations are necessary and the $25 per person will include admission to all the activities at Heritage Holiday. Contact Juanita at 408 918 1045 or jlara@historysanJosé.org Admission to Heritage Holiday is $3 per person or $10 for a family of four, and parking is free. Feel free to bring a canned good to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank. Members of HSJ and Happy Park and Zoo receive free admission. For more information, check out historysanJosé.org or call 408.287.2290.
Teddy Bear Tea The San Jose Woman’s Club invites you to attend its second Teddy Bear Tea at their historic site located at 75 S. 11th Street. Guests will enjoy a selection of savories and sweets, teas donated by Peet’s and a demonstration of Victorian dancing by Danse Libre. Advance reservation required. Adult admission is $20, children four to thirteen are $10 and toddlers are free. Please contact Patt Curia at info@sjwomansclub.org for more information or reservations.
African American Heritage House Celebrates Kwanzaa The seven-day holiday of Kwanzaa will be celebrated for the first time at the African American Heritage House (AAHH) at History Park at Kelley Park. Santa Clara Valley once again shows its diversity with the Kwanzaa Festival 2009. All are invited to experience Kwanzaa, and will include ethnic foods, live entertainment, and a traditional parade at 1 p.m. Also included are guided tours of the Zanker House (AAHH) and hands-on activities for children. Kwanzaa Festival 2009 is co-sponsored by the African American Heritage House and by Habibatique Ethnic Collections. Proceeds from this event will go toward the restoration and upkeep of the African American Heritage House. Admission to Kwanzaa Festival 2009 is $5 for adults, and $3 for seniors and children 12 and under. For more information, call 408.398.8044 or email AAHHSanJosé@aol.com. |
The program assists qualified homebuyers get on the property ladder through down payment assistance. Homebuyers will make a down payment of at least 5% of the purchase price of the home. The Housing Trust will match that down payment dollar for dollar up to a maximum of $75,000. The ESCO loan will be repaid when the homeowner sells or refinances their home, or in fifteen years. The ESCO loan will be repaid out of the appreciation of the home in equal proportions to the amount of the original down payments. To qualify, applicant’s income cannot be more than 140 percent of Area Media Income (AMI) for Santa Clara County, e.g., $147,700 for a family of four. For more information, click 
The new bike plan marks a significant break from the past, with policy objectives to double the number of on-street lanes from 250 miles to 500 miles, add 5000 new bike racks, bring bicycle mode share to 5 percent, and achieve League of American Bicyclists (LAB) Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community status, all by 2020. San Jose has tripled bicycle mode share in the last three years, up to 1.2 percent, which puts the city 15th among the largest 70 cities nationally, according to the San Jose Department of Transportation (DOT).
Downtown welcomes a new small business – The Heel Bar – shoe repair. Owners, Walt Pena and Vince Alvarez, believe there is no shoe too old for repair. They identified an opportunity in the market - the need for a shoe repair shop downtown.
This holiday season the historic California Theatre will host holiday movies on Thursday through Sunday nights, December 17 – 27th. Mark your calendar for an affordable family fun night at only $5 per person. Partnering with the Stanford Theater Foundation, this season marks the 3rd year the Winter Movie Series has called the California Theatre home. This year, Christmas cartoons will run before each movie feature and moviegoers will receive a free popcorn with each purchase of a beverage. 
The Peralta Adobe near San Pedro Square, which is the oldest address in San José, is the site of a birthday party. The 232nd anniversary of the 1777 founding of El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe will be held on Sunday, November 29 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The public is invited to this free event by History San José to join the celebration, and discover the ‘new’ addition to the Peralta Adobe, and visit the newly restored historic Fallon House.
The event, produced and founded by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, has brand-new courses that go through downtown San José for walkers, joggers, élite runners, and the special kids’ run. Local charities benefitting from the event — the Santa Clara Family Health Foundation, Second Harvest Food Bank, and the Housing Trust of Santa Clara County — anticipate $1 million in fundraising. 
Ice skate under the stars, and palm trees, in the heart of downtown San José’s holiday activities. Beginning its 14th season, Downtown Ice has become a holiday tradition and one of the top outdoor skating experiences in the western United States. The stunning rink, produced by the San José Downtown Association, will attract more than 40,000 skaters and thousands more spectators.