San Jose 2025 Recap

Urban Development and Housing

Major projects advanced downtown revitalization, including new renderings for the Fountain Alley mixed-use towers designed by Bjarke Ingels Group—featuring 768 apartments, retail space, and bike-focused amenities.

Tech and Economic Growth

2025 marked a significant year for San Jose's role in the AI boom, driven by massive investments in data centers and infrastructure. The city planned to double its power capacity with two gigawatts over five years, supported by $2.4 billion from PG&E, to accommodate surging demand from AI computing. Nvidia advanced its presence by converting an office building in North San Jose into a data center and expanding its campus.

Tourism, Business, and Downtown Vitality

Downtown San Jose saw record momentum, with 15.9 million visitors in the first half of the year alone. Business growth included 16 new food and beverage spots, 933 new business tax certificates citywide, rising hotel occupancy, and food sales tax revenue exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 21%. The year built excitement for major 2026 events like the Super Bowl and World Cup.

Safety Improvements

San Jose earned recognition as America's safest major city in a SmartAsset study of the 50 largest U.S. cities, topping metrics for low violent crime, property crime, and emergency response. Local reports noted a nearly 12% drop in crimes against persons in the first ten months. Other analyses showed mixed results, placing the city around average nationally.

Cultural Events and Community Highlights

The San Jose Jazz Summer Fest stood out with performances, crowds, and giant Alebrijes folk-art sculptures at Plaza de César Chávez. Holiday traditions like the Blinky’s Drive-Thru lights at Christmas in the Park drew families, alongside exhibits celebrating the South Bay's musical heritage.

Expanding Affordable Housing in San Jose's Guadalupe-Washington Neighborhood

San Jose continues to build toward a more inclusive future with the Lupina development, a six-story structure at 797 South Almaden Avenue (near Downtown San Jose) that will deliver 99 affordable housing units. Resources for Community Development, based in Berkeley, leads the effort with $98.6 million in secured financing, including a $53.3 million construction loan from JPMorgan Chase and $28.9 million from Santa Clara County. This funding paves the way for a mix of 26 studios, 28 one-bedroom units, 25 two-bedroom units, and 20 three-bedroom units, all targeted at households earning 30% to 60% of the area median income.

Community needs take center stage in Lupina's design. The ground floor dedicates 2,300 square feet to commercial space, featuring a childcare center pinpointed during early outreach with neighbors. The project also includes 25 permanent supportive housing units, 41 extremely low-income units, and 32 low-income units. Residents will benefit from 1,892 square feet of support services, a community room, on-site property management, and a lobby. Outdoor spaces total over 6,000 square feet, with ground-level play areas, benches, landscaping, and a vegetated second-floor courtyard.

Sustainability and accessibility define the building's features. As an all-electric structure with rooftop solar panels, it aims to reduce operational energy use by 50%. Parking accommodates 92 vehicles with EV charging capabilities and 127 bicycles, with access from W. Virginia Street. The ground level is elevated to mitigate flooding, and the project earned a Finding of No Significant Impact under the National Environmental Policy Act, clearing the path for federal funding without a full environmental impact statement.

Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects crafted the design to blend with the neighborhood's residential character while addressing local priorities. Construction, handled by Nibbi Brothers General Contractors, starts November 17, with occupancy slated for 2028. Demolition of existing fire-damaged structures awaits final federal approvals to protect funding streams.

Lupina represents a key piece of San Jose's housing strategy, adding transit-oriented options near VTA light rail in an underserved area. With family-sized units, on-site services managed by Resources for Community Development and John Stewart Company, this development supports San Jose's growth as a welcoming place for all.

Source: SVBJ