Sourisseau News: St. James Park

Did you ever wonder about the origins of St. James Park? The two minute video below gives the best summary I have seen of the park's nearly 170 year history. It is almost impossible to believe today that St. James Park once looked like the image you see below. On the bright side, a substantial effort is underway to revitalize the park and turn it back into a valued asset for our city.

Anyway, watch the video below!


St James Park from WMS media Inc. on Vimeo.

Park View Towers Moving Forward!

The San Jose City Council unanimously gave the final approval to move forward with Barry Swenson's Park View Towers. The $150 million project includes two high-rise residential towers with 220 units. The former Church of Christ Scientist building will be restored an incorporated into the project, creating a nice juxtaposition of historic and contemporary architecture.

Barry Swenson will move the church (similar to how the Montgomery was moved to make way for the Fairmont annex), build underground parking spanning the entire site, and then move the church back to its final destination.

Park View Towers also includes a surprising amount of retail--18,000 SQFT! To put that in perspective, the entire San Pedro Square Market is about 25,000 SQFT. What they have planned for all that space is unclear, but I like the direction they are taking this project. Large amounts of residential and retail might just be the catalyst needed to revitalize St. James Square.

The goal is to break ground in 2016 and have the buildings ready for occupancy by 2018.

Source: SVBJ

Electronic Sriracha Festival on Aug. 30th @ St. James Park!

This has to be one of the best ideas for a new event that I've come across in a long time. A couple years ago Moveable Feast launched The Taco Festival of Innovation, then last year they started the Bacon Festival of America, and now they are going for their hottest event yet... the Electronic Sriracha Festival!

The festival will encompass two city blocks at St. James Park and features three stages, 24 DJs representing the best of Bay Area-bred electronic music (list below), four bars, and 120 sriracha-infused dishes. There will be over 40 food trucks and food tents and all dishes and drinks will be priced at $6 or less. Oh, and SJ MADE will be there as well.

It is all going down Labor Day Weekend--August 30th--from noon to 8pm. Admission will run $20 in advance or $30 at the door (kids under 12 are free).

These are the types of events that will return St. James Park to its former glory, so lets help make this one a success! You can get more info at their Facebook page over here.

OLMSTEAD STAGE
Thee-O
Sam F
John Beaver Live with Krishna Lee on Drums & Greg Manacho on Guitar
Ross FM
Taj
Carlos Alfonzo
Tomas Phan
Ian Rey

KENNEDY STAGE
Aaron Axelsen
Dead Funk
Andy P
Mr. Tyler Jackson
California Casual
DJ Hil
Bare Knuckles
James Ashley

HART STAGE
GoldenChyld
Los Disco Duro
Bobby Acosta
DRU
Double A and Jay Reese
DJ Basura
Haptic Synapses
Mike Zhao

Summer in St. James Park

I really have to hand it to the Downtown Association for upping their efforts this summer to activate St. James Park. On top of the world cup viewings, Startlight Cinemas, and Music in the Park, several other regular events are being planned. Every Wednesday in July there will be food trucks from 11am to 1:30pm, pick-up soccer games from 11:30am to 1:30pm, and free drop-in yoga from noon to 1pm.

To see the full list of events just head over to www.sjdowntown.com/summerinstjames.

Starlight Cinemas - FREE Films Under the Stars (Jun 14 - Aug 20)

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Enjoy great movies from the 1980s for free, under the stars, on warm San Jose summer nights, at Starlight Cinemas.  Come early and enjoy pre-show fun and games, often as entertaining as the main event.   

The eight-movie series produced by the San Jose Downtown Association begins June 14 with the only non-’80s film of the bunch, “Bend It Like Beckham.”  That film complements the opening day of World Cup soccer from Brazil, with San Jose sharing in four matches live on a giant television screen at Plaza de Cesar Chavez starting at 9 a.m. Check sjearthquakes.com/summerofsoccer for the full World Cup viewing schedule.

The second film of the series, “Back to the Future Part II,” also follows World Cup action, USA vs. Portugal, from 3p.m.-5 p.m. on June 22.  The big screen moves to St. James Park for that viewing.

Starlight Movie Schedule:

June 14 - Bend it Like Beckham (2002/PG-13) - Plaza de Cesar Chavez(following World Cup Viewing at 8 p.m.)
Set in London, Jess dreams of playing soccer like her hero, David Beckham, and will stop at nothing short of her goal. The girl’s independence clashes with her elder sister Pinky, who dreams of a traditional Indian wedding and making perfect meals for her man.
PRE-SHOW:  SJ Earthquakes/soccer-related trivia and games

June 22 - Back to the Future Part II (1989/PG) - St. James Park

(following World Cup Viewing at 6 p.m.)

See what 2015 was imagined to look like 20 years ago as Marty McFly and Doc Brown travel forward in time to prevent the future little McFly from going to jail.  But Biff gets hold of the time-traveling DeLorean, speeds back to 1955 and rewrites history by making his younger self filthy rich.

PRE-SHOW:  “How to make a mini Hovercraft” workshop and movie trivia.

July 16 - Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade (1989/PG-13) - St. James Park

The third movie of the Indiana Jones trilogy, this time with Dr. Henry Jones (Harrison Ford) and his father (Sean Connery) taking up the action.  Directed by Steve Spielberg, the Joneses go after the Holy Grail in a race against Nazis.

PRE-SHOW:  “Map with no names” as a treasure hunt guide to find the holy grail and Indiana Jones trivia.

July 23 - Ghostbusters (1984/PG) - San Pedro Square Market

Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson and Rick Moranis star as NYC-based "paranormal investigators."  After their government grants run out, the former three go into business as The Ghostbusters, ridding The Big Apple of ghouls, ghosts and beasts.

PRE-SHOW:  Sing-off of “Who You Gonna Call” theme song; “Build your own” Sta-Puff marshmallow giant contest; movie quotes/trivia contest.

July 30 - Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (1985/PG) - St. James Park

Celebrate a “drive-in” movie experience on bicycle with San Jose Bike Party.  Watch as Pee-Wee Herman sets out across the U.S. on the adventure of his life to retrieve his beloved bike, which was stolen from him in broad daylight.  This was Tim Burton’s directorial debut and a stepping stone for Paul reubens and composer Dany Elfman.

PRE-SHOW:  Tequila dance-off; bike contests; DJ’s on bikes. 

August 6 - Pretty in Pink (1986/PG-13) - San Pedro Square Market

John Hughes writes and directs this '80s Brat Pack romance resembling Cinderella.  Molly Ringwald survives the wackos around her, including a boy hopelessly in love with her, her father and a record store co-worker to realize her potential

PRE-SHOW:  Alice@97.3 radio 18^th Anniversary ’80s themed dance night.

August 13 - Gremlins (1984/PG) - St. James Park

These little things are cute as long as they don’t see bright lights, get wet or feed after midnight.  So what happens?  All three things, and pandemonium ensues. Starring Hoyt Axton, Keye Luke, John Louie, Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Corey Feldman, Judge Reinhold and even the film’s producer - Steven Spielberg.

PRE-SHOW:  Rockage Retro Gaming Festival video games; Chiptune DJ; Stripe vs. Gizmo contest.

August 20 - Airplane (1980/PG) - San Pedro Square Market

This spoof of the Airport series of disaster movies relies on hilarious sight gags, groan-inducing dialogue, and deadpan acting -- a comedy style has been imitated for the past two decades. Alcoholic pilot Ted Striker has to land the plane after the captain gets food poisoning.  Lloyd bridges and Robert Stack have to talk him down.  Leslie Nielsen launches a career as slapstick leading man.  Please, don’t call him Shirley.

PRE-SHOW:  Comedy Sportz Improv troupe performance.

Movie night details include:

• Admission: FREE and open to general public
• Movies begin at dusk
• Pre-show entertainment begins about 7 p.m. (except World Cup datesJune 14 and June 22)
• BYOB or C - Bring Your Own Blanket or Chair
• Visit: www.sjdowntown.com/starlight; www.cinequest.org; www.sjdowntownparking.com; www.sjearthquakes.com/summerofsoccer

Starlight Cinema Series sponsors and supporters are: San Jose Downtown Association, CINEQUEST, Metro Newspapers, SanJose.com, City of San Jose, Republic Services, McEnery Family, San Pedro Square Market, San Jose Bike Party, and radio partners: KCBS 740 AM, Alice@97.3, Live 105.3 and NOW 99.7

San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA) is a non-profit group of business and property owners working to improve the vitality and livability of downtown San Jose for more than 25 years. SJDA produces events such as Downtown Ice, Starlight Cinemas, Downtown Farmers' Market at San Pedro Square and Dine Downtown. Visit www.sjdowntown.com. 

facebook.com/sjdowntown

twitter.com/sj_downtown

Starlight Cinemas Start Next Week!

Several films will be screening outdoors this summer, taking advantage of San Jose's awesome weather. Bend it Like Beckham will kick off the "Starlight Cinemas" program, which will follow a World Cup Game viewing in the same location. The rest of the films will be shown either at St. James Park or the San Pedro Square Market.

Pee Wee's Big Adventure will also be tied to a San Jose Bike Party. I love seeing the synergy here between multiple big events happening Downtown. The full calendar is below and all movies are family friendly.

St. James Park Food Trucks!

I think we can all agree that there is a lot of work to be done to restore St. James Park, perhaps the park with the most history in all of San Jose. With several new development projects happening on the periphery of the park, we need to do everything we can to change this from an encampment for the homeless to one of Downtown's key attractions.

Ryan Sebastian, the proprietor behind Treatbot, Moveable Feast, and the San Jose Taco Festival of Innovation, is planning to bring lunch-time food trucks to St. James Park as soon as June. Instead of a regular weekly food truck event, he is envisioning something a bit different. He is trying to get a Food Truck "pod" in the park that would feature lunch trucks daily. I think this would go a long way to reducing the non-homeless to homeless ration in the park and improving the quality of the community there, especially in combination with other improvements being discussed like a music pavilion. I wish him the best of luck!

Oh and while we are on the topic of parks, check out this great article in Think Bigger San Jose about improving Plaza de Cesar Chavez.

Source: SVBJ

Two New Proposed Downtown Apartment Buildings!

The good news for Downtown development keeps on trickling in. Last week two new proposals came in for major residential development projects. The first is a 19-story hi-rise at Post St. and San Pedro (next to Myth and right around the corner from One South Market). This would consist of 156 units consisting of studios, 1BD, 2BD, and 3BD apartments. There would also be large amenity decks on the 4th and 17th floors, underground parking, and 4,100 SQFT of retail. The location of the proposed building can be seen in the 3rd image below.

The second project would consist of a 7-story building with 195 units (studios, 1BD, and 2BD apartments) on 1.4 acres fronting Saint James Park and First Street. This would be the first residential project of this scope to break ground in the area, and hopefully could be a catalyst to cleaning up the park. As for retail, this would include a corner Cafe.

The Downtown skyline is going to be quite a bit different 5 years from now!

Source: Joseph Meduri, SVBJ

Petition for a Levitt Pavilion at St. James Park

A new petition has been kicked off to build a stage at St. James Park that would host 50 free live-music events each year. This would help revitalize the park, bring more people Downtown, and increase entertainment options for those that already live and/or work Downtown. The cost also seems quite reasonable for the amount of benefit it would add to one of our key parks.

To learn more about this proposal and sign the petition, click here.

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Levitt Pavillion is a foundation that focuses on transforming urban public spaces that are blighted into thriving Destination Centers through High Quality FREE music and entertainment events held all year long.  The Levitt Foundation has already expressed a sincere, written interest in adding a Levitt Pavillion in St. James Park and even intends to provide a healthy initial contribution of $500,000 with ongoing support and Funding every year, FOR THE LIFE of the Park.  The Levitt Model has already been proven in six other Major markets and radically transformed areas known for high crime activity to safe, fun, exciting family oriented environments.  The Levitt Model has also had a huge, positive economic impact in the markets that they reside in, filling vacant retail spaces, enhancing open park spaces, and attracting new residences.

Downtown San Jose Courthouse Funded and Breaking Ground Next Month

Santa Clara County is building a brand new $230 million Family Justice Center bordering St. James Park. The building will only be eight-stories tall, but will take up nearly a quarter million square feet on the block bound by West St. James, North First, DeVine, and North Market. The building will contain 20 court rooms and consolidate various courts throughout the San Jose area. This will also open multiple new development opportunities throughout Downtown.

Groundbreaking is scheduled to happen on July 16th!

Source: SJBJ

Enhancements Coming to St. James Park!!

Construction Happening In St. James Park

from The Bay Area Real Estate Blog by Jessie Woodyard

St. James Park, one of the many famous parks in Downtown San Jose, is marked by historic buildings that surround it in every direction.  In the past few weeks, there has been some changes to the park.  The old buildings that sat in the Eastern portion of it are no longer there.  Phase I of the Park’s newMaster Plan has commenced.
The buildings were once home for Senior Citizen activities.  Those activities have since been relocated to the Roosevelt Community Center which allowed for San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services to step in and begin construction of the Master Plan.

The St. James Park Master Plan was originally adopted in 2002 but couldn’t start due to funding limitations.  The entire park is intended to be remodeled but now, it will be remodeled in phases.
The first Phase is to demolish the existing buildings and replace them with turf.  The project was originally budgeted at $700,000 but since was scaled back to approximately $300,000.
What changed?

Well, as we’re all heard, the San Jose Redevelopment Agency is scraping for money (once a financial contributor to the project) and the City of San Jose is in the midst of a financial crisis (another contributor to the project).  St. James Park is affected as a result.  But really, there’s not much to complain.  The construction project will absolutely improve the park.

   











In an interview with Matt Cano from the San Jose Park Service he said, “I’m looking forward to more open space and better views.”  By eliminating the old buildings, the park will achieve this and more.  By the end of March the project will be completed.

When construction of future phases of the park’s Master Plan is still undetermined.  It all boils down to funding and where these funds come from is an unknown.

Cano commented about the possibility of getting grant funding but it’s stuff competition from not only other parks in the region but locally as well.  Another funding possibility is from park fees generated from new Downtown San Jose housing developments.  There are many planned or entitled residential units, all of which will be subject to parks fees, but again, this is uncertain for reasons we can all image.

For the time bring though, the San Jose construction in St. James Park is a nice change and one that can be appreciated by all.  Check it out next time you’re driving by on North 3^rd street.