San Jose's Emerging Electric Vehicle Hub Promises a Greener Future

A fresh proposal aims to transform an industrial building in North San Jose into a dedicated electric vehicle preparation and delivery center. Located at 2256 Junction Avenue near key Interstate 880 interchanges, the site spans 107,700 square feet and could handle storage for several hundred vehicles. Developer Prologis plans to upgrade the facility with enhanced power systems, LED lighting, office refreshes, site paving and roof repairs to support efficient operations starting potentially in mid-2026.

This development includes space for a possible showroom alongside standard vehicle servicing such as software updates, tire replacements and part installations. With 920 spots for vehicles and an additional 117 for employees, customers and visitors, the hub requires scheduled appointments for deliveries, ensuring smooth and organized experiences. The shift from earlier ideas like an Amazon logistics center highlights San Jose's adaptability in embracing sustainable technologies.

The project stands to invigorate the local economy by creating opportunities in logistics, tech support and related fields, aligning with the city's growing focus on clean energy. As Prologis reports strong financial health with billions in recent profits and revenue, this initiative could draw more investment to the area. San Jose residents benefit from advancements that promote reduced emissions and innovative mobility solutions, reinforcing the city's position as a leader in environmental progress.

Source: The Mercury News

Quick update on Saratoga Ave Master Plan

Today I saw a render that was new (to me) about the plan for Saratoga Ave near Westgate. The plan would allow for 1,620 more homes and 720,000 SQFT of commercial or office space along the corridor. It would essentially fill all of the street parking with higher density development. For more details and to actually participate in the planning process, you can read the relevant part of the District 1 Newsletter below.

Source: District 1 Newsletter - 

The City of San José is planning for its future, and we want your voice to be part of that conversation. 

 

As part of the Envision San José 2040 General Plan, the Urban Village strategy supports the development of housing and job growth in key commercial corridors such as Saratoga Ave. This growth is accompanied with updated policies to promote a complete community that is more walkable, bike-friendly, and transit-connected. Urban Villages are designed to support a healthier, more sustainable city by reducing car dependence, revitalizing underutilized properties, and promoting strong local economies. 

 

Urban Villages are planned intentionally to include a mix of housing types, employment options, and amenities such as places to gather. They are a key part of the 2040 General Plan to create better connected neighborhoods that address pressing priorities in housing affordability and environmental resilience. Urban Villages were carefully selected to support San José’s long-term environmental, fiscal, and transportation goals while respecting the existing character of established single-family neighborhoods. 

 

City staff and our office are currently sharing early draft concepts for the Saratoga Urban Village Plan. We are working to gather as much community feedback as possible from residents, neighbors, tenants, property owners, and business owners. 

If you live, work, or spend time in the area, we want to hear from you. Your input and participation will help shape the future of land use, housing, transportation, open space, and amenities in this vital part of West San José. 

 

Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey on the draft concepts: 

 

Simplified Chinese: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdGpBEPc56C3u9WK2ErpFZBAY3QVBNN1H2wqSX5KpRCHSCGtA/viewform?usp=header

 

Spanish:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc569zL7kAjiXBoT4lr-bfc0HczKfrIp252j6PgKCvztPkcJg/viewform?usp=header

 

English: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfTiDLN3oXV7NfWygYsYRAdecUxNm9hWFwxhlBkFJcpJeNB6Q/viewform?usp=header

PG&E Partnership Fuels San Jose Data Center Boom and Job Surge

San Jose has forged a powerful alliance with PG&E to strengthen the city's electrical grid and meet the soaring energy demands from data centers. This collaboration positions San Jose as the West Coast's leading hub for data centers, with PG&E committing to upgrades that support 2,000 megawatts of new power demand. Such enhancements will triple the city's energy capacity, drawing in global companies eager to invest in a reliable infrastructure. This move highlights San Jose's proactive stance in fostering technological advancement and economic vitality.

The partnership includes a substantial $2.6 billion investment from PG&E into existing and new infrastructure projects. These efforts will enable immediate access to 250 megawatts of power for developers, accelerating construction and operations. One standout initiative is the Westbank net-zero community in Downtown San Jose, which integrates three data centers with over 4,000 residential units. This project features a heat-capture system that reduces energy costs for nearby residents and promotes low-carbon heating for environmental gains.

Beyond infrastructure, the deal promises significant employment opportunities, with projections of nearly 200,000 new jobs, primarily in construction. These positions will bolster the local workforce and contribute to broader prosperity. PG&E anticipates that the increased demand from data centers could lower monthly electricity bills for customers by 1% to 2% per gigawatt supplied, making energy slightly more affordable while generating tax revenue for city services.

Source: SVBJ

New Affordable Homes Set to Transform San Jose’s Housing Landscape

San Jose is taking a significant step toward addressing its housing needs with a new affordable housing development that’s ready to break ground. This project, located on a 0.97-acre site, will bring 158 rent-restricted units to the city, offering a mix of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, along with two manager’s units. This development is a vital addition to San Jose’s ongoing efforts to provide accessible housing options for residents across various income levels, reinforcing the city’s commitment to inclusive growth.

The project’s approval comes with secured construction financing, a critical milestone that ensures its progress. This development will rise as a five-story building, designed to maximize space while creating a welcoming community for future residents. By focusing on affordability, San Jose is making strides to ensure that teachers, healthcare workers, and other essential professionals can live closer to where they work, fostering stronger community ties and reducing commute times.

This housing initiative is part of a broader wave of development activity in San Jose. From Downtown to the city’s outer neighborhoods, new projects are reshaping the urban landscape. The focus on affordable housing aligns with the city’s vision to balance growth with accessibility, ensuring that San Jose remains a place where people from all walks of life can thrive. The addition of these units will help ease the pressure on the local housing market, offering relief to those struggling to find affordable options in a competitive region.

The timing of this project couldn’t be better, as San Jose continues to attract new residents and businesses. With its proximity to major tech hubs and a thriving Downtown, the city is well-positioned to support a growing population. Affordable housing developments like this one ensure that San Jose remains a welcoming destination for families, young professionals, and seniors alike, all while maintaining its reputation as a hub of innovation and opportunity.

Source: SiliconValley.com

San Jose's Music Scene Shines with 40 Upcoming Concerts in 2025

The San Jose metro welcomes a dynamic lineup of live performances this year, featuring 40 concerts across various genres that showcase the area's thriving entertainment options. From country stars to rock legends, these events at venues like SAP Center, Levi’s Stadium, and The Mountain Winery in nearby Saratoga draw crowds eager for memorable nights. Highlights include major tours and special guests, making it wise to grab tickets early before popular shows sell out.

Early August kicks off with Morgan Wallen at Levi’s Stadium on Friday, August 1, and Saturday, August 2, joined by Miranda Lambert, Brooks & Dunn, and Anne Wilson for his I’m the Problem Tour 2025. That same weekend, Lynyrd Skynyrd brings classic rock hits like Sweet Home Alabama to The Mountain Winery on August 1, followed by Rick Springfield's I Want My ‘80s Tour with John Waite, Wang Chung, and Paul Young on August 2. Mid-month features Anuel AA's Real Hasta la Muerte 2 Tour at SAP Center on August 8, and Parker McCollum with Ashley Cooke on August 15, while Stunna Girl performs at Club Rodeo Rio that evening.

The momentum continues with The Beach Boys' Sounds of Summer Tour at The Mountain Winery on August 17, Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms on August 19, and Save Ferris at The Ritz on August 21. Marco Antonio Solís takes the stage at SAP Center on August 22, Dave Matthews Band at Shoreline Amphitheatre on August 23, and Diana Ross at The Mountain Winery on August 16. Later dates include ZZ Top with Night Ranger on August 28 and a rock triple bill of The Offspring, Jimmy Eat World, and New Found Glory at Shoreline on August 30, promising diverse sounds for every taste.

These concerts not only entertain but also highlight San Jose as a hub for cultural experiences, blending local accessibility with world-class talent.

Source: SJ Today

San Pedro Saturdays Brings Creativity to Life in Downtown San Jose

The next San Pedro Saturdays is a fresh outdoor event dedicated to stationery, handmade crafts, and artistic expression. Set for July 26 from noon to 5 p.m., this gathering transforms Stationery Depot at 60 N. San Pedro Street into a hub for local talent. More than 20 artists, makers, and illustrators will display their notebooks, washi tapes, stickers, greeting cards, and notepads, offering visitors a chance to find one-of-a-kind items that spark joy and inspiration.

Attendees can dive into hands-on activities that make the day interactive and memorable. Options include crafting watercolor patterns and letterpress printing greeting cards with Love Through Letterpress and Sherry’s Palette, where supplies come free and each person takes home a card. Other highlights feature designing personalized postcards at Yours Truly, Mary Anne, swapping stickers at the MOMENT Trading Post, and decorating bookmarks or journals at a DIY station. A coloring area at Sueños adds flair with designs inspired by flowers, butterflies, and cultural icons, ensuring something for every age group.

Special touches elevate the experience, such as an exclusive Stationery Depot sticker sheet giveaway for the first 300 guests, created by Hungry Whales. Partnerships with organizations like SJMADE, the City of San Jose, and San Pedro Square support this community-driven initiative. Free parking for 90 minutes in nearby garages, including the Market & San Pedro Square Garage, makes it easy to join in.

Events like San Pedro Saturdays strengthen the bonds in Downtown San Jose by spotlighting local creators and encouraging shared creativity. They draw people together to celebrate the city's artistic side and build lasting connections.

San Jose Steps Up as Premier Entertainment Destination for 2026 and Beyond

San Jose is transforming its Downtown core into a lively center for events and gatherings, setting the stage for an unforgettable 2026. The city council's recent unanimous vote turned Post Street into a pedestrian mall, much like the beloved San Pedro Square, enhancing walkability and inviting more foot traffic. This move, coupled with the approval of six new entertainment districts Downtown, opens doors for organizers to host vibrant events where people can enjoy drinks while strolling the streets. Mayor Matt Mahan highlighted these zones as essential for fostering a dynamic atmosphere, and now the city awaits proposals from creative minds to bring them to life.

Major events on the horizon promise to elevate San Jose's profile significantly. With Super Bowl LX and FIFA World Cup matches at Levi's Stadium in nearby Santa Clara, the Bay Area expects around 350,000 visitors from outside the region, generating about $600 million in labor income. Local leaders like San Jose Downtown Association interim CEO Gumby Marques emphasize the importance of showcasing Downtown's best features to build lasting civic pride. Ongoing beautification efforts, including murals and improvements along the Santa Clara corridor, add to the appeal, ensuring the city shines not just for 2026 but beyond.

Established festivals and conventions already demonstrate San Jose's growing draw. The Fountain Blues & Brews festival marked its 42nd year in June with record attendance of about 5,000 people, fueled by live music and a strong sense of community. FanimeCon, the city's largest convention this year, boosted local businesses like Pizza My Heart to historic revenue highs. Nvidia's GTC conference brought a 132% surge in restaurant visits, while events featuring DJs like Steve Aoki and Fisher drew thousands to plazas and streets. These successes underline how events vitalize Downtown and position San Jose as a must-visit spot.

Beyond events, hospitality plays a key role in sustaining this momentum. San Jose boasts 4,500 hotel rooms Downtown and 10,000 citywide, though experts like Sharks Sports & Entertainment president Jonathan Becher call for a shift toward family-friendly designs to attract more leisure travelers. Overcoming the image of a mere business stopover, the city is prioritizing entertainment and arts to stand out. With upcoming highlights like the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and NWSL National Championship, San Jose is aligning investments to claim its spot as the West's sports and entertainment capital.

Source: SVBJ

San Jose Leads with Major Progress on Unsheltered Homelessness

San Jose demonstrated effective strategies in addressing homelessness as the 2025 Point-in-Time Count reveals a nearly 23 percent drop in unsheltered residents since 2019, bringing the number down from over 5,100 to about 4,000. This achievement reflects the city's commitment to expanding shelter options, with the sheltered population growing by 160 percent over the same period, from 980 to 2,544 individuals. Such advancements position San Jose ahead of regional and state averages, where the sheltered rate now stands at nearly 40 percent, surpassing Santa Clara County's 30 percent and California's 34 percent.

City initiatives focus on immediate solutions like Emergency Interim Housing and hotel leases, with plans to add over 1,000 beds by the end of 2025. These efforts contrast with broader trends in Santa Clara County outside San Jose, which saw an increase of more than 700 unsheltered people since 2019 and a decline in its sheltered rate to 16.5 percent. San Jose's approach emphasizes bringing people indoors quickly and connecting them to services, setting an example for other communities to follow in tackling encampments.

Mayor Matt Mahan highlighted the impact, stating, “San José has proven that investing in shelter and interim housing works — now it’s time for every city and county to step up and do their fair share.” City Manager Jennifer Maguire added, “The city has made significant progress in reducing unsheltered homelessness. This year, we expect to open additional sites that include Emergency Interim Housing and hotel leases. Providing a diverse set of sites ensures we have dignified options for our unhoused community to come off the streets and into a safe location.” Ongoing counts by the Housing Department will provide further insights early next year, reinforcing San Jose's proactive stance.

Source: San Jose Inside

Sports Drive San Jose Forward: Preparing for a Spotlight in 2026

San Jose steps into the limelight as Bay Area sports teams lead urban renewal efforts, with city leaders highlighting long-term investments at a recent Business of Sports event. Tommy O’Hare, the city's sports and special events director, emphasized viewing events as ongoing opportunities rather than isolated moments, pointing to initiatives like the stitching districts project that connects San Jose's 10 districts both physically and symbolically. With Super Bowl LX and the FIFA World Cup set for 2026, these gatherings provide a clear timeline to energize the region's largest city through targeted improvements.

Efforts already underway include beautifying the Guadalupe River and refreshing Downtown underpasses with fresh paint, all aimed at welcoming the expected influx of visitors. O’Hare noted that such preparations extend beyond the venues, collaborating with local businesses like Adobe to shape overall visitor experiences. Meanwhile, Bay FC CEO Brady Stewart shared how sports unite communities, expressing enthusiasm for the global attention on the Bay Area, while the team uses technology like fan surveys to refine interactions and achieve high satisfaction scores.

Looking ahead, San Jose envisions a thriving sports and entertainment district in Downtown, potentially featuring one or two stadiums to solidify its position as the heart of Silicon Valley. Bay FC aims high too, aspiring to become the first billion-dollar women’s sports franchise with its own dedicated stadium, moving beyond sharing PayPal Park. These developments promise to foster community ties, support youth programs, and create lasting vibrancy that benefits residents year-round.

Source: SVBJ

 

Chayakada Brining Custom Chai to San Jose

San Jose gains a unique spot for tea lovers with the opening of Chayakada at 117 Bernal Road, Suite 80, where each cup of chai gets brewed from scratch on the stovetop to match individual tastes. Owner Aleena Thomas, hailing from Kerala in southern India, brings the concept of a traditional chayakada to life as a dedicated tea shop with snacks and bistro food, marking what she describes as the first of its kind in the United States. After leasing the 4,000-square-foot space in November 2024 and securing permits in May, the cafe welcomed guests starting June 1, filling a gap in personalized chai options often overlooked in favor of standard recipes at restaurants.

The menu extends beyond drinks to include dozens of homestyle meals and baked snacks, all prepared in-house by a five-person team without outside investors. Thomas envisions the space as more than a quick stop, incorporating a kids library, game room, lounge area, and multipurpose hall for events to encourage lingering and connection. On opening day, around 500 visitors arrived, leading to nearly 600 free cups of chai served, while the first week saw 1,000 people, five catering events, and hundreds more cups poured, as shared on their Instagram.

This addition highlights San Jose's growing diversity in culinary experiences, drawing from global traditions to create welcoming environments. With its focus on accessibility and customization, Chayakada invites residents to explore new ways to enjoy chai while fostering a sense of belonging in the community.

Source: SVBJ