Showing posts with label Sustainability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sustainability. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Downtown San Jose Farmers' Market Kicks off Tomorrow

Every Wednesday from 9 am to 1:30 pm, the Downtown San Jose Farmers’ Market transforms the city’s heart with fresh, local vibes. This certified gem offers a colorful array of produce, artisanal goodies, and tasty bites—perfect for a midweek pick-me-up. Expect farm-fresh fruits, veggies, handmade crafts, and food truck delights, all brought to you by passionate local vendors.

It all starts tomorrow, April 23rd at the Hammer Theatre Plaza (Paseo de San Antonio between 2nd and 3rd Streets). You can enjoy 90 minutes of free parking at the ParkSJ garage with entrances located on both 2nd and 3rd Streets. While you're in the area you might as well pick up a $2 burger from locally-owned Campus Burgers as well.

Opening Day Vendor List

  • Farmers
    • Nuno Family Farm – Conventional veggies
    • Castellanos Farm – Conventional fruits
    • Bay Fresh – Strawberries
    • Ken’s Top Notch – Organic fruits
    • ALD&Y – Organic veggies
    • EcoGrow Hub – Hydroponic microgreens
  • Packaged Food
    • California Bakeshop – Artisanal bakery, cookies, empanadas
    • Brother’s Products S.F. – Hummus, yogurt
    • Hurno – Specialty pastries
    • Mango Blossom Apiary – Honey
  • Hot Food
    • Thai Street Food – Chicken satay, papaya salad, thai teas, more
    • Dumpling King – dumplings
    • Chiken’s Tamales – Tamales, vegan empanadas
  • Coming Soon!
    • Fox Tale Fermentation Project
    • Valley Toffee



Sunday, April 20, 2025

Revitalizing San Jose’s Historic Orchard: A Green Tribute to Our Agricultural Roots

San Jose’s Historic Orchard in Downtown San Jose is about to get a little greener! The Guadalupe River Park Conservancy (GRPC) is planting 10 new citrus and avocado trees as part of an ambitious plan to revitalize this 3.3-acre gem with 200 climate-adapted fruit trees. This isn’t just a landscaping project—it’s a celebration of San Jose’s agricultural legacy. Once a thriving hub for fruit production in the 1930s and ’40s, San Jose has few orchards left standing today. The Historic Orchard offers a rare chance to step back in time while embracing trees designed to flourish in our modern climate.

This exciting phase of the Historic Orchard Revitalization Initiative is powered by a partnership with Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) through California ReLeaf’s Growing Green Communities Grant Program. PG&E volunteers are rolling up their sleeves to help plant these trees. “By planting the right tree in the right place, we can reduce power outages, mitigate wildfire risk, and maintain reliable service,” said Teresa Alvarado, vice president of PG&E’s South Bay and Central Coast. “This mindful planting also helps create sustainable ecosystems for future generations and we’re proud to help GRPC and its master gardeners do that here in San Jose by preserving the beautiful Historic Orchard.” With the UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County maintaining the space, the orchard is becoming a living classroom for sustainable gardening and a tribute to our region’s roots.

What makes this project so special? It’s all about connection. “Revitalization of the Historic Orchard is an opportunity to support a sustainable sense-of-place by honoring our region’s history, adapting to change, enhancing tree canopy, and supporting local food cultivation and park use,” said Joe Salvato, GRPC’s Deputy Director. The new trees are carefully chosen for their resilience against pests and diseases, ensuring the orchard remains a vibrant part of Downtown San Jose for years to come.

The best part? The Historic Orchard is open to everyone, and the GRPC welcomes community members to get involved. Stop by to see the new trees taking root, learn about their care, or even volunteer to help nurture this slice of history. It’s a chance to dig into San Jose’s story—literally and figuratively—and contribute to a project that’s as much about people as it is about plants. Next time you’re near Taylor Street in Downtown San Jose, take a detour through the orchard. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for where we’ve been and where we’re headed.

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

San Jose’s Downtown Set for Transformation with Data Center and Housing Projects

San Jose’s Downtown is on the cusp of a transformation that could redefine its landscape and economic future. City officials are enthusiastic about two major projects proposed by Westbank, blending data centers with housing developments to deliver a powerful one-two punch of innovation and growth. The San Jose City Council has taken decisive action, directing building officials to prioritize these initiatives due to their potential to spark economic vitality and inspire further development. This bold move underscores the city’s determination to cement its place as a thriving hub in Silicon Valley.

The financial benefits alone are enough to turn heads. A proposed 99 MW data center could bring in between $3.5 million and $6.4 million in taxes and fees each year, creating a reliable revenue stream for San Jose. But the impact goes beyond dollars and cents—these projects are expected to generate jobs and draw new businesses to Downtown San Jose. Andrew Jacobson from Westbank captured the brilliance of this approach perfectly: “Housing is very challenged in San Jose, but data centers are not. When you couple those together, you have viable projects.” This clever pairing could ease the city’s housing crunch while strengthening its tech backbone.

Sustainability is also a key piece of the puzzle. The projects include plans for a district energy system, which could reduce energy costs for other developers in the area. This isn’t just smart for Westbank’s bottom line—it’s a gift to future Downtown growth. To sweeten the deal, the city has extended economic incentive programs, like the downtown high-rise initiative that waives construction taxes and fees. These efforts show San Jose’s commitment to overcoming market hurdles and keeping the momentum going for bold, forward-thinking development.

Downtown San Jose stands to gain more than just new skyline features. By merging cutting-edge technology with practical housing solutions, the city is laying the groundwork to tackle some of its toughest challenges head-on.

Source: The Mercury News



Sunday, April 13, 2025

San Jose Takes Another Step Forward with Airport Connector Project

The City Council unanimously approved the next phase of the San Jose Airport Connector Project, a visionary plan to link Diridon Station with San Jose Mineta International Airport. Stations are tentatively planned for SJC Terminal A, Terminal B, Long-term Parking, the Coleman San Jose Market Center, SAP, and Diridon. This isn’t just a win for commuters—it’s a signal that San Jose is serious about redefining urban transportation with innovation and sustainability at its core.

The star of this initiative is Glydways’ technology: autonomous, electric vehicles—called “Glydcars”—that glide along dedicated guideways. These sleek, zero-emission pods promise on-demand, point-to-point service, cutting out the hassle of fixed schedules. Whether you’re racing to catch a flight or heading to Downtown San Jose for a meeting, this system is designed to get you there fast, with a capacity to move thousands of passengers per hour.

Of course, a project this ambitious doesn’t come without questions. Cost and feasibility are hot topics, and rightfully so. But the City Council’s green light for Phase 2a shows they’re not diving in blindly. This phase will dig into the nitty-gritty—ridership forecasts, revenue models, and community feedback—to ensure the project pencils out. It’s a smart, deliberate approach that balances bold vision with real-world pragmatism, setting the stage for a system that’s both groundbreaking and grounded in San Jose’s needs.

What’s really thrilling is the potential ripple effect. If this initial stretch succeeds, the Airport Connector could expand across the South Bay, weaving a network of high-tech transit options that elevate the entire region. Imagine a future where getting around San Jose is as effortless as it is eco-friendly—a future where our city leads the charge in sustainable mobility. This project isn’t just about connecting two points; it’s about connecting San Jose to a bigger vision of what a modern city can be.



Sunday, March 30, 2025

San Jose’s Future: A Boring Company Loop to Beat Traffic?

After a painful VTA strike earlier this month that left many that rely on public transit stranded and the realization that BART phase 2 is going to cost $13+ billion and take over a decade, perhaps it is time to start putting some eggs into other long-term transportation options. I'm thinking one in particular that could be a fraction of the cost and deployed in a couple of years.

Imagine skipping San Jose’s traffic jams entirely—zipping from the airport to Downtown in minutes. That’s the promise of a Boring Company Loop, an underground transportation system already working in Las Vegas and coming soon to Dubai. Picture autonomous vehicles whisking you through tunnels, fast and eco-friendly. It could be a game-changer at the right cost structure.

Picture linking the airport, tech campuses, and hotspots like Santana Row and SAP with point-to-point rapid transportation, at a similar cost per user as BART if not less. It could also connect to existing transit hubs to act as a "last-mile" solution.

This fits San Jose’s DNA. We’re a tech hub, a place that embraces the future. A cutting-edge, sustainable Loop screams innovation—putting us on the map as a smart, green metropolis.

It's a long shot, but I would love to see at least a pilot, perhaps starting with linking SJC to Downtown San Jose and Santana Row/Valley Fair.




Tuesday, March 11, 2025

San Jose Perseveres in the 2025 Silicon Valley Index

The 2025 Silicon Valley Index from Joint Venture Silicon Valley has just dropped, and it’s packed with insights. This annual report is like a love letter to our region, highlighting the strengths, challenges, and incredible potential of Silicon Valley—with San Jose right at its heart. Let’s dive into some of the standout takeaways that show why our city is a powerhouse of innovation, diversity, and opportunity.

First off, Silicon Valley’s population is holding steady after a few rollercoaster years, with a tiny but mighty 0.2% growth spurt. San Jose, as the biggest city in Santa Clara County, is a key player in this stability. We’re a magnet for talent from around the globe, with 41% of our population being foreign-born—a historic high. In tech, that number jumps to 66%, with 70% of those workers hailing from India or China.

Employment here isn’t booming like the old days, but it’s not shrinking either. The Index notes a slight dip of 0.1% (just 1,200 jobs), keeping us just above pre-pandemic levels. Compare that to San Francisco, still lagging 8% below its 2019 mark, and you’ll see San Jose’s resilience shining through. Our community infrastructure and services sector—like healthcare, retail, and education—has added a whopping 155,000 jobs since 2020, making up 51% of our workforce. Plus, startups in software and biotech are growing fast, up 9.3%. San Jose’s tech scene is still the place to be!

The innovation ecosystem? Still red-hot. Silicon Valley and San Francisco together raked in $69 billion in venture capital last year—doubling 2023’s haul. San Jose’s tech giants and startups are leading the charge, especially in artificial intelligence, where generative AI startups snagged $22 billion. We still account for over 50% of the nation’s venture capital and 37% of its angel investments. Our inventors also set a new record with 23,600 patents. That’s the kind of creativity that keeps San Jose on the global map!

Unfortunately, it’s not all smooth sailing. Housing remains a tough nut to crack, with median home prices hitting $1.92 million in 2024. Fewer than 26% of first-time buyers can afford that, and only 4,900 new units were permitted last year—the lowest in over a decade. Still, San Jose’s leaders are tackling this head-on, and the Index hints at a shift: tech firms are hiring here but also expanding elsewhere, which could ease some pressure as we figure out solutions.

On the flip side, our diversity and education stats are something to cheer about. Asians now make up 37% of the population, while 56% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher—way above state and national averages. “The region is well educated and linguistically diverse: 53 percent speak a language other than English at home,” the report says, and San Jose’s vibrant multicultural fabric is a big part of that story.

Sustainability is another win. Solar power capacity hit 1,100 MW in 2024, and greenhouse gas emissions dropped by 690,000 metric tons over five years—equivalent to 206 wind turbines running for a year. San Jose’s green initiatives are paving the way for a cleaner, brighter future.

Silicon Valley—and San Jose especially—is in a state of flux. However, we’re not just resting on our laurels; we’re adapting, innovating, and growing stronger.

Source: 2025 Silicon Valley Index