The National Hispanic University is Shutting its Doors

After 30 years of educating first-gen college students with Latino backgrounds, The National Hispanic University is shutting down in 2015. It is the only private institution of its kind west of the Mississippi. The closure is due to financial issues and you can read the full story over at the source link below.

Source: NPR, Hat tip to Tim Reed

Affordable Housing Project Opening in East San Jose

Mayfair Court features 93 units of affordable housing across a 1.44-acre site at 65 McCreery Avenue. It has a surprising amount of amenities for this kind of project as you can see below. The total cost is going to be $23 million and it will include 56 two bedroom units that will rent from $663-1,129 and 37 three bedroom units that will go for $763-$1,301. Rents are based on family income, and you need to make less than $50,650 a year to even qualify. Needless to say the waiting list is already completely full.

UNIT AMENITIES
Sleek interior finishes with floor to ceiling windows
Modern kitchens with energy efficient appliances and espresso cabinetry
Private patios and balconies
Energy efficiencies, including dual pane windows
Central heat and air conditioning
Spacious master suites with plush carpeting
Ceiling fans
Designer tile flooring
Wheelchair accessible

COMMUNITY AMENITIES
Gated Community
Fitness center with cardio equipment
Covered gated parking
Public Wi-Fi area
Fully furnished clubhouse
Computer center
On-site laundry facilities
Children’s playground area
Beautifully landscaped courtyard
Walking distance to shopping and restaurants
Easy access to public transportation
On-site maintenance
Recycling initiatives
Non-smoking community

Source: SVBJ

Bowling Alley and 24 Hour Fitness Coming to Eastridge

Eastridge Mall is adding two new non-shopping tenants to spice up the retail mix. The first is an 18-lane Round1 bowling alley. This is a Japanese chain that is known for incorporating karaoke rooms, arcades, and billiards into their facilities. The Eastridge Round1 will be about 50,000 SQFT. The second tenant is a 24 Hour Fitness that will come in around 40,000 SQFT. Both of these will be located in the space formerly occupied by Bed Bath & Beyond and it looks like they are under construction right now.

Source: SVBJ, Hat-tip to Arnold Kwok

Vietnam Town Expanding By 186,000 SQFT

Even though there are 51 unsold retail condos in the 120-unit first phase of Vietnam Town, the owners have decided to go through with a second phase. The project will include an additional 186,000 SQFT with 141 more retail condos. These would be distributed across a total of five buildings with the average retail condo size being around 1,000 SQFT.

Part of Vietnam Town phase two will be a single 40,000 SQFT pad that could easily accommodate a grocery store. 99 Ranch Market or Lion Market have already been identified as potential candidates. There are also plans to build a parking structure on the site.

This seems like an ideal place in the middle of Little Saigon for a mixed-use village, so I'm a bit disappointing that a housing component was not included in the project. This could have become a Vietnamese Santana Row. At least doubling down on the project will increase the chances for success and turning it into a regional draw.

Source: SVBJ

Noonie Cakes Opens in Eastridge

A new cupcake shop has opened up in Eastridge mall called Noonie Cakes. It's run by Jackie Jackson, someone who has been in the catering business for quite some time. She features Southern flavors such as peach cobbler, sweet potato, banana pudding, and of course red velvet. The shop is located near the movie theater and is open from 10am-7pm Monday though Saturday and 11am-7pm on Sunday. For more info, check out their website over here.