tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post582603235222077507..comments2024-03-02T02:40:22.398-08:00Comments on The San Jose Blog: Two New Downtown San Jose High-Rises May Break Ground This Year!!!Joshua Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08146556924287585958noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-55429892058230611922013-03-10T17:38:00.012-07:002013-03-10T17:38:00.012-07:00Completely agree that there is a lot of work to be...Completely agree that there is a lot of work to be done in the area right around SJSU. In fact, I agree with all of your comments except for one... speed bumps. I would prefer that they narrow the streets and increase the size of the sidewalks or add bike lanes to slow down traffic instead.<br /><br />Whether you believe it or not you actually moved Downtown at a pretty good time and you are going to be seeing many improvements over the coming years, some sooner than others. I would start by checking out Paseo de San Antonio, which should be walking distance from where you live. They just added a new wine bar and bistro there called Vyne, and it's excellent. If you haven't been to La Lune Sucre or Philz next door you are missing out. All three of those have quite a bit of character.<br /><br />If you haven't been to the San Pedro Square Market over the past couple months, they are making substantial additions. The new B2 Coffee shop is already open and three more eateries should be open soon. This is my favorite hangout spot at the moment.<br /><br />Along First St, you have a new Greek restaurant called Namea that looks very promising, a family run Korean restaurant, Blackbird Taven which will open soon, and a huge Muji retail store. Over in SoFA, Stritch just opened and is oozing character and has a great vibe.<br /><br />Have a little patience and keep trying, you'll be fans sooner or later =)Joshua Santoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146556924287585958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-25256813718568068322013-03-08T19:16:48.699-08:002013-03-08T19:16:48.699-08:00We just bought a house in downtown San Jose since ...We just bought a house in downtown San Jose since we both work in the downtown core. No, we are not fans of San Jose (we try - honestly, we do). The area around the University is really trashy and I'm not sure why because SJSU is a pretty place smack dab in the middle of the city. Imagine if all those wonderful old homes around it were fixed up (maybe even have some coffee shops, wine bars, and boutiques in some). And, what if all those "low" rent apt's were forced to clean up and had mandatory green space around them (instead of all that concrete). Another nicety would be to quieten the street noise, for instance, crack down on cars and bikes w/loud mufflers and install some speed bumps to slow them down. And those smaller bar/restaurants that are grimy - make them clean up! They are eyesores. The difference in San Jo and other cities is the lack of ambiance, character, individuality, and sophistication. Why can't the owners of those huge spaces downtown reduce the rent and divide up the space so that smaller businesses can go in as a more aesthetically pleasing environment as well as sustain their business w/less rent? <br />Laura Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15871579451490656118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-47984682961308558102012-07-31T15:38:46.418-07:002012-07-31T15:38:46.418-07:00What about Market by Safeway, Walgreen's, Came...What about Market by Safeway, Walgreen's, Camera 12, Peet Coffee, Rosie Flowers, Bijan Bakery, Lightrail, and all the other amenities downtown. As for architectures: Axis, 360, cityhall and 480 Almaden tower are great designs. Don't sell SJ short! Downtown SJ is better than most downtowns across the country.Truth Policenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-22386177581490749892012-07-31T15:29:11.963-07:002012-07-31T15:29:11.963-07:00Haven't you guys been to Dt. Portland or Seatt...Haven't you guys been to Dt. Portland or Seattle? They're worst off than Dt. SJ. It really shuts down by 8PM. in both of their downtowns. Minneapolis, Houston, Dallas and others are worst off than San Jose in their quest for downtown vibrancy. San Jose is lucky to have San Pedro Square Market and the area around the Fairmont/Tech Museum.Truth Policenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-78955613777327839682012-07-23T21:47:04.937-07:002012-07-23T21:47:04.937-07:00Bob,
That's part of my vision for a potential...Bob, <br />That's part of my vision for a potential "Gilroy" SJC; to be the airport of San Jose AND Monterey, Salinas, the Central Coast. Add in a potential high-speed rail line and all of a sudden the Central Valley would be part of the catchment area as well. Again, high-speed rail south of San Jose is the key to this idea/vision. Let's see how this plays out in the coming decades.Tony D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03392232221747908883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-36864746732255566272012-07-23T21:16:22.545-07:002012-07-23T21:16:22.545-07:00Thanks Tony for your summary!
Truth be told, I ...Thanks Tony for your summary! <br /><br />Truth be told, I don't know if this area can support or even need THREE international airports. At least, a Gilroy move would mean SJC can service the Santa Cruz/Monterey areas as well. <br /> <br />Though...I wonder about moving SJC to the area between Morgan Hill and South San Jose (not Coyota Valley). That's close enough for SJ and southern peninsula, and could also serve the aforementioned Santa Cruz/Monterey folks.Bobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-75641175963267408412012-07-22T13:07:16.966-07:002012-07-22T13:07:16.966-07:00Bob,
This is just my opinion, but I'll take a ...Bob,<br />This is just my opinion, but I'll take a stab at answering your question. All past discussion of relocating airport operations out of the current Mineta site involved opening up Moffett Field to commercial aviation. What's kept Moffett closed to full blown commercial aviation: Sunnyvale and Mt. View. To date both cities have been adamant in their opposition to increased air traffic, be it air cargo or general aviation. I don't exepect either city to change its position on Moffett Field in the future, which is a shame because it's an excellent San Jose airport option. <br /><br />As far as Gilroy or points south, as it currently stands a remote airport there would be to inconvenient to San Jose/Silicon Valley due to distance. Most folks would simply choose SFO or OAK over driving 25-30 miles to a Gilroy SJC. If in the future we can get a fast rail connection that gets us from downtown San Jose to Gilroy in 15 minutes, then we can start a serious discussion of moving our airport to South County.Tony D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03392232221747908883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-65455608683863029722012-07-22T11:07:22.869-07:002012-07-22T11:07:22.869-07:00Strong, visionary leadership at City Hall is sorel...Strong, visionary leadership at City Hall is sorely needed. We had a chance to move that airport 12-13 years ago when the re-furbishing was being started. I was surprised we didn't make the move then, especially how strong the local economy was at that time.<br /><br />Maybe some of the folks can fill me in on why that did not happen back then? I was a wee teen during those times :PBobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-18871194953506905272012-07-22T09:44:45.958-07:002012-07-22T09:44:45.958-07:00Jon,
It's not an obsession: it's a damn go...Jon,<br />It's not an obsession: it's a damn good idea! Airport operations around the world (from Hong Kong, Athens, to Denver) have been relocated out of heavily urbanized areas to the countryside in recent years. High-speed rail/transit from city centers out to remote airports makes them just as convenient as if the airport were still in the urban centers (like SJC). Two keys to making this happen in the future: potential high-speed rail from San Jose to Gilroy and the vast, open farmlands southeast of Gilroy. God willing, pending a long, healthy life, I hope to live well into the 2050's. At least in my lifetime, I can definitely see this happen. But it will take strong, visionary leadership at City Hall. Pierluigi Oliverio suggested to me via email this idea is in the realm of possibility within the next 30-years ( when the current airport bonds are paid off). IT CAN HAPPEN!Tony D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03392232221747908883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-76713946858498100982012-07-21T18:21:55.740-07:002012-07-21T18:21:55.740-07:00Why are so many of you obsessed with moving the ai...Why are so many of you obsessed with moving the airport? It will never happen in our lifetime.Jonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-21061797699133101772012-07-21T09:44:37.726-07:002012-07-21T09:44:37.726-07:00I can agree with the keep it small European style,...I can agree with the keep it small European style, but I'd still advocate for relocating the airport pre-2050 to address noise blight permanently AND open up 1,000+ acres of San Jose real estate to development. The current Mineta site can have European densities WITH true high-rises +50-stories. Remember, even Paris and London have skyscraper developments outside their traditional cores; San Jose can be the same one day.Tony D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03392232221747908883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-77557070243270779262012-07-21T09:09:14.532-07:002012-07-21T09:09:14.532-07:00I never really understood this need for huge tall ...I never really understood this need for huge tall buildings to define an amazing downtown. Yes, it would be nice but they don't have to be 50 stories high. I just came back from Barcelona and Madrid, both bustling and vibrant cities. Almost all the buildings there were no taller than 6 stories. People were out until 3-4am. What is needed is quality, not quantity: you can have small buildings and still a very vibrant core. You just need the right balance of things like the people have said above. Oh, and good architecture, which sadly, San Jose is lacking. So I say, keep it small, but with visionary architecture and good restaurants/bars, and DTSJ will succeed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-87171957304189579732012-07-20T23:43:13.603-07:002012-07-20T23:43:13.603-07:00Agree with everyone here. I never understood havi...Agree with everyone here. I never understood having loud speakers outside either, so pointless. <br /><br />I remembered at the old Studio 8, I'd go out for a cigarette and talk with a friend and we would roll our eyes as we cannot hear each other at all. And that place doesn't even have outdoor speakers..but it's still so loud..if I remember correctly.Bobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-39576331672935474612012-07-20T23:35:47.329-07:002012-07-20T23:35:47.329-07:00I get that all the time from my East Coast/PacNW t...I get that all the time from my East Coast/PacNW transplanted coworkers at my office in downtown SJ as well!<br /><br />They always comment to the tune of: "Bob, your town San Jose, it's WEIRD. From the freeways, it's spectacularly HUGE, yet in many ways, it feels VERY SMALL..."Bobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-69187617907509642692012-07-20T17:08:28.658-07:002012-07-20T17:08:28.658-07:00I live and work downtown. Unless you do too, it...I live and work downtown. Unless you do too, it's impossible to comment in a comprehensive, accurate way. I'm an east coast transplant from a major city and San Jose is the strangest place I've ever lived. I mean the in good ways and really bad ways. That's my assessment. Please don't get all bent out of shape about it. Isn't it a good thing to like the good stuff and work ans work on the bad, instead of glossing over big, glaring problems? I don't know, call me realistic.New to San Josenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-69552120105959827922012-07-20T14:39:52.971-07:002012-07-20T14:39:52.971-07:00Just heard on the news (740AM) that these towers w...Just heard on the news (740AM) that these towers won't break ground until sometime next year. Lame.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-67237201521919594442012-07-20T11:55:36.284-07:002012-07-20T11:55:36.284-07:00There's a bar called Myth near San Pedro squar...There's a bar called Myth near San Pedro square that has its outdoor speaker system blaring music very late into the night, but with such great cool evening temperatures, seems counter intuitive to have to shut your windows because bars have outdoor sound systems. I'm not sure if there are any bars near 88 that have their sound systems outside on their patio.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-64118866552045572042012-07-20T09:24:14.526-07:002012-07-20T09:24:14.526-07:00I might be a square, but never got the point of ha...I might be a square, but never got the point of having the music be that loud for the club-gowers themselves. You can't talk to anyone and it makes the sounds quality worse (distortion). At least the newer buildings like Axis and The 88 have very good soundproofing.Joshua Santoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146556924287585958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-64991995428002570102012-07-20T05:06:11.771-07:002012-07-20T05:06:11.771-07:00As a Chicago transplant, I've noticed how SJ i...As a Chicago transplant, I've noticed how SJ is a bit "young" in it's development of the downtown area. <br /><br />A couple things to note; if you work downtown and wish to live downtown and even give up your car, you have to have access to basic retailers, Like a Macy's or Nordstroms. <br /><br />Also a much larger and comprehensive supermarket...<br /><br />And a balance between bars to residential buildings - in regards to noise ordinances. <br /><br />If the airport is quiet at 11:30pm, outdoor bar patios who "blast" their music need to adhere to that too. I live downtown, but drive to a suburban supermarket and retailers, but will eat and frequent a Downtown SJC club,...... <br /><br />.....but when you can't leave your condo windows open because a bar has huge speakers outdoors with the music cranked until 1:30am, you will be less likely to want to live right in the middle of the noise. <br /><br />Chicago Had to implement balanced residential and outdoor establishments noise ordinances to ensure a peaceful coexistence. Encourage nightlife, but without making all the residents feel like they were living "in" the bar... <br /><br /> Chicago had a noise curfew for many establishments that had outdoor speakers, The bars brought the decibels down by midnight Everynight... Inside the establishments, they still cranked the music,.....<br /><br /> I like to party, but I like to sleep too... We need to balance residential and nightlife as both continue to grow, otherwise SJ San Pedro Square will become a place to party, not live.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-24542398652172494292012-07-18T23:45:12.479-07:002012-07-18T23:45:12.479-07:00As someone who has lived in downtown SJ for the 5 ...As someone who has lived in downtown SJ for the 5 years but work outside I can say there has been quite a bit of improvement since I first moved. Places like singlebarrel and spsm are clearly great additions. And the general vibe has improved quite a bit - walkability to many things for example - grocery store, cinemas, restaurants, good coffee etc. And I wouldn't trade living here to any other place in the bay area except some neighborhoods in SF.<br /><br />But Jason is right in pointing out that we should focus on high quality things that are planned with a fairly high probability of them getting done in the near future. For example, talking about the baseball park is all fine and good, but it is far from a done deal. And HSR, if implemented, is targeted at what? 2029? If these 2 highrises are near term deals with a high probability of timely completion lets go right ahead and help get the word out. If we do want to talk about the baseball park lets remember to word things in such a way to not lose sight of reality. Where I dont agree with Jason is his mocking of the 22 stories being towers. It seems that might have been unintended on his part going by his later post. <br /><br />And I think there is a pretty core group of huge SJ supporters in our town which is why all these positive things are happening. Lets get more such support by getting the right word out. <br /><br />Cheers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-54140259779436259902012-07-18T16:36:01.219-07:002012-07-18T16:36:01.219-07:00Meant quieter, not "quoted."Meant quieter, not "quoted."Tony D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03392232221747908883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-19861361524406229062012-07-18T16:34:15.860-07:002012-07-18T16:34:15.860-07:00Given that SJC has hampered our core (and central ...Given that SJC has hampered our core (and central SJ as a whole) in terms of vertical development and noise pollution (787's won't be that much quoted than current fleets), we should focus on incremental milestones in terms of a great city and downtown. 1) current San Pedro Square Market and proposed residential high rises, 2) an A's ballpark; will serve as downtown SJ's greatest catalyst ever, 3) modernized Caltrain, BART and potential high-speed rail and 4) the relocation of SJC to South County near Gilroy (connected to San Jose proper via high-speed rail line). All of this could be accomplished by 2040; if we have leadership at City Hall of course. If San Francisco has a 100-year head start on us, we'll be there in another 30-40 years. As a senior citizen in the 2040's, I hope to be the first one living on the 50th floor downtown ;)Tony D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03392232221747908883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-72257502646642073402012-07-18T14:28:51.006-07:002012-07-18T14:28:51.006-07:00@Jason
I like Josh's analogy. You flipped us...@Jason<br /><br />I like Josh's analogy. You flipped us all off. Nice work. Feel better?<br /><br />@Bob<br /><br />I called his points "admittedly valid." I even agree there's room for pessimism. I just appreciate civility and think on a friendly blog like this one it can be preserved.Jonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-40361510802236483212012-07-18T13:43:43.168-07:002012-07-18T13:43:43.168-07:00Great point, SF has about 100 years of development...Great point, SF has about 100 years of development on SJ and if you look at the other 10 largest cities in the US, they all had developed and dense cores long before SJ.<br /><br />Also regarding the Market, you can get validation at the Market Bar even if you don't buy any drinks. Just eat anywhere and swing by the bar on the way out.Joshua Santoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146556924287585958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923860625279115418.post-88702953790926153622012-07-18T12:37:26.891-07:002012-07-18T12:37:26.891-07:00I work in downtown as well. In fact, yesterday I ...I work in downtown as well. In fact, yesterday I dragged a bunch of out-of-towner coworkers to San Pedro Square Market after work (around 7pm) and the place was very lively! In the courtyard were 2 birthday parties going with several tens of people, with at least 50-60 other folks not affiliated with the birthday groups also in the courtyard. <br /><br />Blush (the oyster bar) is having some kind of engagement party of sort on their deck. If you have not been to Blush, I highly recommend their deck seatings :P Santana Row ain't got nothing on the deck seating of Blush, that thing just look so right, especially with those huge trees leaning over the deck providing natural shades! It was loud and boisterous!<br /><br />Inside the buildings, it was standing-room only, as usual :)<br /><br />*gripe* We got $40 worth of wraps at Robee's Falafel, but seems like the parking validation is only at the Market Bar? $5 parking in the structure is still cheap by my standard...but c'mon...the Market has got to work something out about this funky validation scheme...Bobnoreply@blogger.com