Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The 88 Promo Video
In honor of The 88 snagging Downtown Condo Owner #1500, I thought I'd share a promo I found that highlights the benefits of living downtown using stories from actual residents there:
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
1500th Person to Call the Heart of Downtown San Jose Home!
Last Thursday Downtown San Jose achieved a major milestone in its history. Sarah Ligda became the 1500th person to clutch the keys of a brand new Downtown San Jose condo! If you've been to downtown lately, you've probably noticed that there are a few more lights on when you look up at the sky and a few more feet on the streets. Despite a rocky economy the heart of our city continues to grow in every way possible: density, eclecticism, and culture. It's becoming a place were people want to live, work, play, and just be. Every key that gets passed on to new condo owners chisels away at the stereotypes and misconceptions Downtown has dealt with for decades and paves the way for a much brighter future.
Now, it is with tremendous pleasure that The San Jose Blog gets to bring you the following press release before anyone else. Enjoy!
***
SAN JOSE (March 4, 2010) Sarah Ligda, a recent San Jose State University masters-degree graduate now working in high-technology in Silicon Valley, was heralded today as the 1500th new downtown resident of San Jose’s two-year surge of condominiums. A resident of The 88 highrise at 88 E. San Fernando, Sarah joins the growing population of singles, couples and families who are finding greater appeal in urban life than the previous generation, a lifestyle also seen as a path toward greater sustainability for the planet, according to officials who gathered downtown to mark the occasion.
Nearly two-dozen new downtown retailers were also feted, including 12 that have opened in 2009 and 11 more planned to open in 2010.
San Jose City Council Member Sam Liccardo, San Jose Downtown Association Executive Director Scott Knies and The 88’s Seth Bland of developer Wilson Meany Sullivan were among the officials presenting a basket of downtown retailer gifts to Sarah.
The 1500th resident marks the move-in of over 850 new buyers, plus a multiplier for household size, in nearly 20 downtown properties since late 2007 when the first highrise, City Heights, welcomed new residents, according to research by Pacific Marketing Associates.
“Sarah’s move to downtown is emblematic of our emerging Downtown populace,” said Liccardo. “She’s a young, well-educated, tech worker seeking an urban environment where she needs to walk no more than a block to encounter a yoga studio, Brazilian restaurant, grocery store, a live theater, and a comedy club. It’s all here.”
“Day by day, we’re seeing small but significant forward-steps downtown, and the addition of 1500 new residents plus our new retailers is part of that story,” said Knies. “The new downtown condominium buildings are bringing more vibrance and activity compared to a year or two ago, and you can see the incremental change every afternoon and evening on the sidewalks and in the restaurants.”
The new downtown retailers of 2009-10 include:
-- Newly-opened in the past year::
The Market by Safeway, E. San Fernando at 2nd
Maceio’s Brazilian Restaurant - 72 S. First St.
Soula Power Yoga Studio - 200 S. First Street
Icebee Yogurt - 151 S. Second St
Silk Road Mediterranean Café - 185 Park Ave
San Jose Glass Artist Alliance – 465 S. First St.
The Heel Bar – shoe repair, service for residents – 134 E Santa Clara St
Love’s Cupcakes - 85 E. San Fernando St.
WOW Noodle Bar - 76 S. First St.
The Old Wagon Saloon & Grill - 73 N. San Pedro St.
Downtown Yoga Shala 450 S. First St.
The Cheesesteak Shop - 76 E. Santa Clara St.
-- Retailer planned in First Quarter 2010
The MMoon Empanada Restaurant - 177 W. Santa Clara St [cq: MMoon with 2 M's)
The Pasta Market - Market Center on Coleman
Pho 69 - 321 S. First St
U-Food Grill - 143 W Santa Clara St
Tangerine Hookah Lounge - Fountain Alley
Morton’s The Steakhouse – expansion (177 Park Ave.)
La Victoria – expansion - 131 W. Santa Clara St.
-- Planned later 2010:
Market at San Pedro Square – open August 2010
Flames Eatery - 88 S 4th St - expansion to add bakery and extra seating - December 2010
Higher Fire Ceramics Gallery & Studio – 495 S Market – Summer 2010
Ross Dress for Less – 27 S First St –June 2010
From the left: Seth Bland of The 88; Scott Knies from the SJDA; Nancy Avila from Maceio’s Brazilian Steakhouse; Sarah Ligda, the ceremonial 1500th new downtown condo resident; Sam Liccardo, City Council Member; Kimberly Beach, store manager of The Market by Safeway; and (Mr.) Meredith Davis, a teacher at Soula Power Yoga.
Now, it is with tremendous pleasure that The San Jose Blog gets to bring you the following press release before anyone else. Enjoy!
***
SAN JOSE (March 4, 2010) Sarah Ligda, a recent San Jose State University masters-degree graduate now working in high-technology in Silicon Valley, was heralded today as the 1500th new downtown resident of San Jose’s two-year surge of condominiums. A resident of The 88 highrise at 88 E. San Fernando, Sarah joins the growing population of singles, couples and families who are finding greater appeal in urban life than the previous generation, a lifestyle also seen as a path toward greater sustainability for the planet, according to officials who gathered downtown to mark the occasion.
Nearly two-dozen new downtown retailers were also feted, including 12 that have opened in 2009 and 11 more planned to open in 2010.
San Jose City Council Member Sam Liccardo, San Jose Downtown Association Executive Director Scott Knies and The 88’s Seth Bland of developer Wilson Meany Sullivan were among the officials presenting a basket of downtown retailer gifts to Sarah.
The 1500th resident marks the move-in of over 850 new buyers, plus a multiplier for household size, in nearly 20 downtown properties since late 2007 when the first highrise, City Heights, welcomed new residents, according to research by Pacific Marketing Associates.
“Sarah’s move to downtown is emblematic of our emerging Downtown populace,” said Liccardo. “She’s a young, well-educated, tech worker seeking an urban environment where she needs to walk no more than a block to encounter a yoga studio, Brazilian restaurant, grocery store, a live theater, and a comedy club. It’s all here.”
“Day by day, we’re seeing small but significant forward-steps downtown, and the addition of 1500 new residents plus our new retailers is part of that story,” said Knies. “The new downtown condominium buildings are bringing more vibrance and activity compared to a year or two ago, and you can see the incremental change every afternoon and evening on the sidewalks and in the restaurants.”
The new downtown retailers of 2009-10 include:
-- Newly-opened in the past year::
The Market by Safeway, E. San Fernando at 2nd
Maceio’s Brazilian Restaurant - 72 S. First St.
Soula Power Yoga Studio - 200 S. First Street
Icebee Yogurt - 151 S. Second St
Silk Road Mediterranean Café - 185 Park Ave
San Jose Glass Artist Alliance – 465 S. First St.
The Heel Bar – shoe repair, service for residents – 134 E Santa Clara St
Love’s Cupcakes - 85 E. San Fernando St.
WOW Noodle Bar - 76 S. First St.
The Old Wagon Saloon & Grill - 73 N. San Pedro St.
Downtown Yoga Shala 450 S. First St.
The Cheesesteak Shop - 76 E. Santa Clara St.
-- Retailer planned in First Quarter 2010
The MMoon Empanada Restaurant - 177 W. Santa Clara St [cq: MMoon with 2 M's)
The Pasta Market - Market Center on Coleman
Pho 69 - 321 S. First St
U-Food Grill - 143 W Santa Clara St
Tangerine Hookah Lounge - Fountain Alley
Morton’s The Steakhouse – expansion (177 Park Ave.)
La Victoria – expansion - 131 W. Santa Clara St.
-- Planned later 2010:
Market at San Pedro Square – open August 2010
Flames Eatery - 88 S 4th St - expansion to add bakery and extra seating - December 2010
Higher Fire Ceramics Gallery & Studio – 495 S Market – Summer 2010
Ross Dress for Less – 27 S First St –June 2010
From the left: Seth Bland of The 88; Scott Knies from the SJDA; Nancy Avila from Maceio’s Brazilian Steakhouse; Sarah Ligda, the ceremonial 1500th new downtown condo resident; Sam Liccardo, City Council Member; Kimberly Beach, store manager of The Market by Safeway; and (Mr.) Meredith Davis, a teacher at Soula Power Yoga.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Discount Code for "Legally Blonde The Musical"
I received this a few minutes ago from the Downtown Association. If this is half as good as Avenue Q--which also came here courtesy of Broadway San Jose--then it'll be well worth watching. Read below for details and of course the discount code:
***
Downtowner Online: Special EditionA service of San Jose Downtown Association
“LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL” - GET $15 OFF SELECT SEATS AND PERFORMANCES.
PROMO CODE: LEGAL
TO PURCHASE TICKETS GO TO: http://www.facebook.com/pages/
Good through March 15th on tickets to the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday performances in all sections EXCEPT section D. Subject to availability, not available on previously purchased tickets.
It's here, and it's "AN ELLE OF A SHOW" (TIME Magazine). The hilarious MGM film is now a smash hit musical, and now LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL is coming to you. Underestimated blonde UCLA sorority star Elle Woods doesn't take "no" for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.
LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL has been created by a dean's list of top-of-their-class Broadway talent, including Tony Award®-winning director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray); composer and lyricist Laurence O'Keefe (Batboy) and Nell Benjamin (Sarah, Plain and Tall); book writer Heather Hach (Freaky Friday); and scenic designer David Rockwell (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels).
LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL will take you from the sorority house to the halls of justice with Broadway's brightest new heroine (and of course, her chihuahua, Bruiser). The verdict? This much fun shouldn't be legal!
Running time: 2 hours, 25 mins, including intermission.
Rating: Family friendly for pre-teens and older.
Location: San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
***
Downtowner Online: Special EditionA service of San Jose Downtown Association
“LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL” - GET $15 OFF SELECT SEATS AND PERFORMANCES.
PROMO CODE: LEGAL
TO PURCHASE TICKETS GO TO: http://www.facebook.com/pages/
Good through March 15th on tickets to the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday performances in all sections EXCEPT section D. Subject to availability, not available on previously purchased tickets.
It's here, and it's "AN ELLE OF A SHOW" (TIME Magazine). The hilarious MGM film is now a smash hit musical, and now LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL is coming to you. Underestimated blonde UCLA sorority star Elle Woods doesn't take "no" for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.
LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL has been created by a dean's list of top-of-their-class Broadway talent, including Tony Award®-winning director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray); composer and lyricist Laurence O'Keefe (Batboy) and Nell Benjamin (Sarah, Plain and Tall); book writer Heather Hach (Freaky Friday); and scenic designer David Rockwell (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels).
LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL will take you from the sorority house to the halls of justice with Broadway's brightest new heroine (and of course, her chihuahua, Bruiser). The verdict? This much fun shouldn't be legal!
Running time: 2 hours, 25 mins, including intermission.
Rating: Family friendly for pre-teens and older.
Location: San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
Sunday, March 7, 2010
March 2010 Downtown Dimension Highlights
Here are my notes from the latest edition of Downtown Dimension (warning, this is going to be long because there is a lot of great content this month!):
- Convention Center Expansion
- $30 million in RDA funds were approved for the expansion, which will have a total cost of $130 million.
- Completion is expected in less than 19 months.
- Plans include 35,000 sqft of ballroom space with 30ft high ceilings, 25,000 sqft of new meeting room space, new food prep areas, new furniture and fixtures, restroom improvements, sidewalk improvements.
- The hideous former MLK Library will be torn down (nice!)
- Other RDA Projects moving forward:
- $4 million to complete the Civic Auditorium renovation.
- $3 million for the North San Pedro housing development.
- $30 million in land acquisitions for a new baseball park south of Diridon Station!
- Goals from the city's 2010-2015 economic strategy for downtown:
- Fill up office space.
- Expand the convention center.
- Complete the San Pedro Square Urban Market.
- Support more events.
- Attract more start-up companies and create a sense of community among downtown entrepreneurs (damn good idea).
- More live music aimed at broader audiences.
- Continue to invest in SoFA (keep it up, doing a great job so far)
- Continue partnering with 1stAct.
- Strengthen pedestrian and bike connections to Guadalupe River Park and encourage "bold next-stage evolution of the park."
- Attract businesses that bring "street-level vibrancy" both day and night
- Zanatto's is stepping up its game to be more competitive with The Market. They'll offer wine dinners and expand inside seating for lunch and dinner customers.
- Tres Gringos is expanding to SJC (FYI, their fish tacos are amazing). Also coming to the new terminal is Sonoma Chicken Coop and Original Joe's!
- CJ's Cafe & Catering is now offering breakfast and lunch at 303 Almaden Blvd.
- Downtown San Jose's Fourth (seriously, fourth??) Subway is oping on the ground floor of Three Sixty Residences (the high-rise condo building in SoFA).
- As reported here several months ago, the Montgomery Hotel will be re-branded as a Four Points by Sheraton Hotel. This will be the First Starwood Hotel in San Jose. Starwood also includes Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, Luxury Collection, and St. Regis brands.
- Pizza Chicago can now roll-up most of it's walls for an open air dining experience (think The Counter at Santana Row)
- Many events coming this summer:
- Dwontwon Farmer's Market at San Pedro Square, Fridays, 10am-2pm starting May 7th.
- Downtown Doors Installation also May 7th.
- Dine Downtown is Back!: Jun 2-12, with a City Bites sampler event on Jun 2nd (awesome, can't wait!!!)
- Music in the Park: Thursday nights starting Jun 3rd.
- Starlight Cinema: Wednesday nights starting Jun 9th.
- South First Fridays: May 7th, Aug 6th, Sep 3rd
- Sub Zero's uber South First Friday: Jun 4th!
- Left Coast Live - Jun 21-26
- Jazz Festival - Aug 13-15
- Tapestry in Talent - Sep 4-6
- ZeroOne - Sep 16-19
- Mariachi Festival - Sep 19-26
To read the full newsletter, click here!
Friday, March 5, 2010
New Retail Openings Downtown!
Thanks Mark for pointing out that the Redevelopment Agency updated their Monthly Report. Below is what's opening soon in Downtown San Jose as well as a couple recent openings. 8 retail stores are currently under construction or in permitting!
Recent Openings
Recent Openings
- Tangerine Hookah Lounge (30 E. Santa Clara St., Suite 150)
New Retail Lease
- Ruffled Feathered Eatery (200 S. First St., Suite 10)
Opening Q1 2010 (i.e. This Month)
- The Pasta Market (579 Coleman Ave.)
- Sante Grill (143 West Santa Clara St.)
- La Victoria Expansion (131 W. Santa Clara St.)
Opening Q2 2010
- The MMoon Empanada Restaurant (177 W. Santa Clara St.)
- Teagre Tea Shop (96 North Almaden Ave.)
- Pho 69 Restaurant (321 South First St.)
- Morton's The Steakhouse Expansion (177 Park Ave.)
- Ross Dress for Less (27 South First St.)
San Jose Facebook Groups
If you look over to the right you'll notice a new link category called San Jose Facebook Groups. I found some great pages I thought you'd all enjoy, especially I HEART SAN JOSE which just broke 2,500 fans!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Sante Grill Coming to Santa Clara St.
It looks like Downtown San Jose's newest restaurant might be Sante Grill on Santa Clara Street. The crappy cell phone photo below is pretty much all the information I have. I can't find anything on Google about this place. If you know anything about Sante Grill, please post in the comments. Thanks!
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