Attention BID members!
We urge your attention to the attached Downtown Pprogress Initiative drafted jointly by the Advocacy Committee of the San Jose Downtown Association and the Downtown Committee of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Our two organizations and their memberships, representing the full spectrum of business in both downtown and throughout the San Jose area, affirm their belief that a thriving, vibrant city center is critical to the long term economic success of the region.
This initiative outlines concepts and tactics that we feel will move our downtown forward, even in these troubled economic times.
Sincerely,
Janis Schneider
President
San Jose Downtown Association
Mike Fox Jr.
Chairman of the Board
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce
Scott Knies
Executive Director
San Jose Downtown Association
Jim Cunneen
President & CEO
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce
Downtown Progress Initiative
Purpose
Recent changes in California redevelopment law, and probable cuts in redevelopment revenue to balance the State budget, mean that San Jose’s future redevelopment funding will decrease at a faster rate than previously anticipated. These changes will have serious implications for downtown unless City redevelopment strategy changes to meet the new reality. This Downtown Progress Initiative offers a strategy and recommendations to facilitate the needed transition from the current public sector dominated process to a sustainable market driven economy.
What needs to be done?
We must leverage increasingly limited public sector resources by targeting them to those projects that are traditionally produced by the public sector, and concentrate on developing investment conditions that will attract the private sector to a much greater degree than has been achieved to date.
Facilitate rather than legislate
To provide a business climate that encourages private investment, an efficient and predictable development process is required. It is important that the Agency and the City take a hands-off approach that respects market driven decision making, as long as projects meet official ordinance and guideline standards. Coordination with different city departments, pre-established design review, and a predictable permitting process with accelerated timelines are the keys to facilitating development.
Focus on public sector development
Public projects typically involve complex financing, significant environmental impacts, long construction timeframes, and levels of community participation. In addition, public projects require long-term maintenance plans that must be factored into project planning. This is the development role that needs to be filled by the Redevelopment Agency.
The many public projects already completed by the Redevelopment Agency have contributed greatly to developer interest in downtown. Transit improvements, parking, utilities, sidewalks, arts facilities and other civic buildings like the convention center are necessary and important development projects that are the responsibility of the public sector. The timing and completion of these public investments has a great impact on spurring private development.
Necessary work that can only be done by the public sector remains, such as:
o providing sufficient public parking
o creating rejuvenated and interesting streetscapes and open spaces
o building additional arts and performance venues
o constructing public buildings, especially those that have a return on investment,
such as the expanded convention center and airport.
o supporting market rate and affordable housing
o assisting rehabilitation of historic structures
o rebuilding streets, sidewalks, sewers, lighting, traffic controls, etc.
o using eminent domain judiciously to assemble land for private development
Encourage density: Downtown high-rise residential is a priority. Assemble land, or use City/Agency owned land, and if necessary assist developers to establish this new housing product in the downtown by closing the feasibility gap. Assistance could include land write-downs, exemption from city development fees, additional subsidy to meet affordability requirements, assistance with parking and financial participation with loans and grants.
Historic preservation policies: Currently, there is no clarity for developers on whether specific properties must be preserved or can be modified or demolished. A broad-based community task force should be created to evaluate older or historic properties in the core and make recommendations to the Historic Landmarks Commission and the Council. The Council needs to ultimately adopt a preservation plan regarding individual properties that developers can rely on to make investment decisions.
Parking policies: Implement the adopted parking plan’s capital program for the two garages now under development. Reconsider recommendations for required parking ratios and support Parking Plus where needed.
Clean and safe: The level of cleanliness downtown, especially with increased construction activity, requires a continuous high-level commitment for services, funding and management. In order to maintain confidence that there is a safe environment, there is no substitute for uniformed public safety personnel on foot, horse, or bicycle. This is particularly important in the Transit Mall area, where the City has an opportunity to partner with the Sheriff and VTA to provide a more visible presence and deterrent. The police presence downtown should be balanced to encourage a comfort level for the diversity of citizens, day and night.
Perception: An improved civic development environment will help change the perception of downtown. Moving the city from "process to product" will attract more investor interest and investment. The message of downtown can be a very positive one, especially when we show there is a business-friendly environment with pro-active programs, policies and projects.
Recruit and Market: Recruitment of Silicon Valley companies to locate offices downtown, in existing or new buildings, should be an ongoing coordinated effort from public and private sector leaders. Recruitment of retail remains a priority, including local retail representative of the community’s diversity.
Pre-plan: Keep downtown zoning ordinances and environmental reports up to date. Establish clear rules and pre-plan. For example, if high density, high-rise development is desired around the three BART stations downtown, put entitlements in place so that heights, shadows, allowable uses, etc. are known and the economics of such a project can be calculated by prospective developers.
Last updated 03/07/03