March 2010 Downtown Dimension Highlights

Here are my notes from the latest edition of Downtown Dimension (warning, this is going to be long because there is a lot of great content this month!):

• Convention Center Expansion
• $30 million in RDA funds were approved for the expansion, which will have a total cost of $130 million.
• Completion is expected in less than 19 months.
• Plans include 35,000 sqft of ballroom space with 30ft high ceilings, 25,000 sqft of new meeting room space, new food prep areas, new furniture and fixtures, restroom improvements, sidewalk improvements.
• The hideous former MLK Library will be torn down (nice!)
• Other RDA Projects moving forward:
• $4 million to complete the Civic Auditorium renovation.
• $3 million for the North San Pedro housing development.
• $30 million in land acquisitions for a new baseball park south of Diridon Station!
• Goals from the city's 2010-2015 economic strategy for downtown:
• Fill up office space.
• Expand the convention center.
• Complete the San Pedro Square Urban Market.
• Support more events.
• Attract more start-up companies and create a sense of community among downtown entrepreneurs (damn good idea).
• More live music aimed at broader audiences.
• Continue to invest in SoFA (keep it up, doing a great job so far)
• Continue partnering with 1stAct.
• Strengthen pedestrian and bike connections to Guadalupe River Park and encourage "bold next-stage evolution of the park."
• Attract businesses that bring "street-level vibrancy" both day and night
• Zanatto's is stepping up its game to be more competitive with The Market. They'll offer wine dinners and expand inside seating for lunch and dinner customers.
• Tres Gringos is expanding to SJC (FYI, their fish tacos are amazing). Also coming to the new terminal is Sonoma Chicken Coop and Original Joe's!
• CJ's Cafe & Catering is now offering breakfast and lunch at 303 Almaden Blvd.
• Downtown San Jose's Fourth (seriously, fourth??) Subway is oping on the ground floor of Three Sixty Residences (the high-rise condo building in SoFA).
• As reported here several months ago, the Montgomery Hotel will be re-branded as a Four Points by Sheraton Hotel. This will be the First Starwood Hotel in San Jose. Starwood also includes Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, Luxury Collection, and St. Regis brands.
• Pizza Chicago can now roll-up most of it's walls for an open air dining experience (think The Counter at Santana Row)
• Many events coming this summer:
• Dwontwon Farmer's Market at San Pedro Square, Fridays, 10am-2pm starting May 7th.
• Downtown Doors Installation also May 7th.
• Dine Downtown is Back!: Jun 2-12, with a City Bites sampler event on Jun 2nd (awesome, can't wait!!!)
• Music in the Park: Thursday nights starting Jun 3rd.
• Starlight Cinema: Wednesday nights starting Jun 9th.
• South First Fridays: May 7th, Aug 6th, Sep 3rd
• Sub Zero's uber South First Friday: Jun 4th!
• Left Coast Live - Jun 21-26
• Jazz Festival - Aug 13-15
• Tapestry in Talent - Sep 4-6
• ZeroOne - Sep 16-19
• Mariachi Festival - Sep 19-26

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