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*-------------June 29, 2000-------------*
*---San Jose News and Gossip Bulletin---*
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**Mammouth changes ahead for several popular San Jose neighborhoods. First, in Willow
Glen, rumor has it that several businesses are frustrated with the less-than-promised
number of shoppers on the Avenue. To boot, a rumor has surfaced that The Glen, which has
had a number of public clashes with the neighborhood association over operating hours and
noise levels, is skipping town. "First I've heard of it," chuckles a spokesperson for the
upscale restaurant/bar/pool hall. But, the most astonishing buzz has a major national
clothing store, which has been eyeing Willow Glen for over two years, poised to occupy
the charmingly refurbished building. While some opposition to such a retail chain would
be likely from residents, it is clear that the neighborhood is nearing a critical
crossroads. Sources say that more than one seemingly popular local eatery is facing
bankruptcy unless foot traffic seriously improves on Lincoln Ave. (particularly on
weekdays). This is unlikely if the street continues to flood with big-ticket furniture
stores. Along these lines, Manhattan Bagel closed its doors for good last weekend, and a
Lincoln Ave. mainstay is considering a similar departure soon. No word on who will
replace the bagel shop, but rumor has it that a group of locals are throwing around the
idea of a falafel restaurant.
**Moving in a much different direction, Japantown welcomes the second of three major
luxury housing developments, each of which extends the neighborhood into the surrounding
warehouse district. No surprise that the complexes are commanding $1,800 rents for
600 square-foot 1-bedrooms. Clearly, this is a new era for the 60 year-old
neighborhood. With Miraido Village almost fully leased, the Pavona complex selling units
before the plaster dries, and the Esplanade shooting for a fall opening, it is likely
that day and evening pedestrian traffic will sky-rocket in the once sleepy
restaurant-district. No surprise either that national names are coveting the
neighborhood.
Blockbuster has opened. Starbucks is on the way. Also on tap: an Asian-style coffee/tea
house, a florist, a jewelry store, and an Italian restaurant (Yes, in J-Town).
**Meanwhile, in the Alameda, with Togos, Baskin Robbins, and Pasta Pomodoro projecting
mid-summer openings, housing demand is equally tight and just as expensive. One apartment
manager, of a so-so complex just off the busy thoroughfare, refuses to even hand out
applications until the day of availability. And why should he with future transplants
from Alabama, Texas, and New Jersey offering to Fed-Ex $2,000 checks for move-in fees
without even viewing the place?
**South University neighborhood residents, fed up with graffiti, slumlords, and
uncaring tenants who prefer parking lots to pedestrians, have aggressively worked with
various city agencies to spin the wheels of change. But, unlike nearby Naglee Park, South
U. lacks a central meeting place. As such, local leaders are dreaming of a Williams St.
that beckons residents and nearby State students with shops, restaurants, and perhaps a
coffee shop. In hopes of spurring foot-traffic, the neighborhood is several steps closer
to building a new city park at 6th and Williams.
**Downtown Miscellany. Stratta Grille reopens next week, under new management and with a
reenergized menu. The bistro with the hip new sign is at San Fernando and 2nd...Hawgs
Seafood's long-delayed opening (blame the subcontractors, jokes one RDA official) is
scheduled for September. It will be located adjacent to the Rep Theater, at 4th and San
Carlos...House of Blues (deep breath) continues to negotiate with the city on terms of
the lease; this time, I'm not even guessing on an opening date!...On a sour note, word
has it that talks with Barnes and Nobel have fallen through for the ground floor space of
the Opus building (under construction at Santa Clara & Almaden). Don't be surprised if
the ever-expanding national bookseller pops up elsewhere downtown in the near future.
Forget Borders, however; while the chain loves urban streetscapes, its parent company
also owns Walden Books (reopening in the former Pavillion in 2 weeks). Meanwhile, rumor
has it that Borders was snagged by the new faux Beverly Hills main street development
across from Valley Fair...Paying rent but still selling nothing, Walgreens pushes off
their opening until January 2001...Finally, Jon Jon's has temporarily relocated to Santa
Clara St. (near Market). Look for the sidewalk sign or you'll never find them. The
to-die-for southern-style eatery couldn't cope with the dramatic rent increase at their
former Post St. location (now shamefully vacant, on an alleyway whose enormous potential
is apparently lost to city boosters).
**Lots of rumors floating around on the San Jose sports scene. With talk of an
NBA team in the Arena's future, a recent Metro article spilled the beans that the Houston
Rockets were considering a San Jose move. With the team's owner nearing retirement,
insiders aren't so sure, though top dogs have had a conversation or two...And, we've all
heard conjecture on the Oakland A's interest in the lucrative San Jose market. Certainly,
competitor Santa Clara lacks the financial backing, political force, and resident
support to sign off such a deal. As reported in a Bulletin several months ago, it may
very well come down to where to build a stadium. Sports enthusiasts in the city have long
been lusting after land north of downtown, given its proximity to light rail and Caltrain
and its closeness to the city center. While some large parcels remain, the most
attractive
piece (the former Del Monte plant) has been sold. More serious consideration needs to be
given to the Keys neighborhood - a blighted, industrial area south of downtown that is
home to many struggling artists and working class families. This RDA-targeted zone
deserves the face-lift a nearby stadium would bring. In addition, more city funds could
be justified for the land purchase and infrastructural improvements...Finally, with the
Senior PGA Tourney lifted by San Jose for 2001, all eyes are set on the Men's NCAA
Finals. We've made the short list, and (as mentioned before) our splashing
success with the Women's Finals puts us in a good position. Stay tuned on this one. It
would be a major boost for the city if we win.
**On the lighter side (unless you happen to live nearby), a large home in Willow Glen was
recently leased to a fledging start-up. Or so it appeared. One neighbor reports that
there were initially so many dot-comers' cars parked along the quiet neighborhood street
that locals had to park on the next block. As it turns out, the struggling start-up was
really a bigname computer company crying out for more space. Finally, after one desperate
resident resorted to begging, a miracle occurred; the next day, the street was back to
normal. Until the bright yellow taxis began filtering in, cheerfully dropping off
employees in front of the home. Welcome to the Valley.
++Dog Days of Summer takes on a whole new meaning as Naglee Park gears up for its
day-long festival in honor of our canine companions. Bark in the Park 2000 showcases the
latest in doggie food and health products and features contests galore -- such as the
pet/owner look-alike contest! Councilwoman Cindy Chavez kicks things off as master of
ceremonies. Grab your pup and head out to William Street Park on Saturday July 15th from
10am to 5pm.
++ Visit the San Jose News and Gossip Bulletin web site at
www.angelfire.com/ca4/sanjosengb. The site features past issues, links to EVERYTHING that
screams San Jose, as well as the Bulletin's mission statement.
ATTENTION: Online neighborhood groups, business associations, and city promotions
organizations -- if appropriate, please provide a link to the Bulletin from your own
site.
++ Keep the gossip coming!! I want to emphasize that all sources shall remain completely
anonymous.
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Please send all news or gossip regarding new business openings, redevelopment projects,
celebrity sightings, and other interesting gems concerning San Jose to
todd_95130@yahoo.com.
To be added to the monthly bulletin, please email the above address.
The San Jose News and Gossip Bulletin is a free monthly newsletter intended
to boost city pride, to foster a vital link between city districts, and
to provide information on current and future plans for downtown and the
neighborhoods. Information is gathered from a variety of sources,
including non-profit organizations, neighborhood business
associations, local and national newswires, as well as city government
meetings and documents. All items are written by myself, unless otherwise noted.
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