I spent the weekend running around doing errands, Christmas shopping and trying to get in the spirit of the season, and found myself driving up and down Santa Clara Street and The Alameda quite frequently. I was struck by the potential of this area of town, and wondered if there might be any “master plan” to make this more of a destination than just an area to drive through.
I know I have visited this topic before, but I think it merits more discussion. Those that have traveled down Santa Clara Street from the Arena and made that right turn on the bend to The Alameda, probably don’t even notice what is to the right and left of them—but I do.
At the beginning of the street, we have 7 Restaurant, a cool, hip, industrial-styled eatery that is nestled in cozy apartments and lofts. It looks like something out of an East Coast city: all brick and very clean. Those that live in those apartments have a coffee shop and dry cleaning nearby. Then, across the street, there is a dilapidated old BBQ joint that is supposed to be the future site of a Whole Foods. (I have heard about this Whole Foods for some time now and am wondering if it’s become an urban myth.) Then we have the new Longs Drugstore and some new, trendy-looking lofts that look to be in the ending stages of being built.
At the end of the street, we have Greenlee’s Bakery (with their amazing cinnamon bread) and some other small eateries. Around the bend there is a new mini-mall with Togo’s, Pasta Pomodoro and a cigar shop, followed by Peet’s, Starbucks, a few furniture shops, and a hair salon. Again, there are more apartments that generate people and foot traffic.
It’s in between where things start to go all over the map. Connecting those two areas is a mishmash of retail and commercial spots that have absolutely no theme, rhyme or reason (other than maybe they are the only places that didn’t go out of business.) We have the large man with the wrench and an auto body shop, a karate studio, an HIV Center, a dental center, a Kragen Auto Parts, a cheesy motel and a photography studio. Sprinkle in a few empty lots and voila! What you have is confusing and discombobulated. But that seems to be the problem in most parts of San Jose.
This area is beautiful and it seems that it could be tied together so easily if someone put some thought into a theme. There are so many building styles from different eras; contractors are building things with no cohesiveness and landlords are renting out spaces to anyone it seems. How does an area pull a theme together if no one in the city sets the overall scheme? Here’s hoping that Chuck Reed can have this kind of vision for our city—finding the areas that have potential and making something out of them.
Sometimes, all it takes it a little drive…
I agree that SG is right you people have all these great ideas but have you ever had your own business? didn’t think so. and if you are downtown they just tax the small business to death with this BS/ BID/ tax that does nothing for anyone, oh yes it let’s them put on a race that just kills downtown for a week (thanks CINDY) so before you open your mouth think about how YOU can put all your great ideas to work…
SG: a cohesive theme is what you want, huh? More homogeneity, rhyme and reason. Like Santana Row, perhaps?
BTW, The Alameda does not start “around the bend”. I believe it starts @ Stockton St.
There are a number of neighborhood business and neighborhood groups who for years have worked hard to create a vibrant neighborhood business district on The Alameda by starting a farmers’ market, recruiting retailers / restaurants, hosting events and working with city / redevelopment agency to change city regulations that have historically restricted desired neighborhood business growth and improve neighborhood quality of life and city tax revenues that pay for city services
1) Alameda Business Association (ABA)
http://www.the-alameda.com/
2) Shasta / Hanchett Park Neighborhood Association
http://www.shpna.org/
3) Rose Garden Neighborhood Preservation Association
http://rgnpa.org
4) The Alameda Neighborhood Business District (NBD) Map
http://www.sjredevelopment.org/PublicationsPlans/TheAlameda.pdf
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!
SG:
Are the buildings and the businesses in various neighborhoods disjointed? Yes, they are.
But have you ever been to an “East Coast city” like you cite in your reference to 7 Restaurant?
They are organic, and alive, and disjointed, and all the paint is *not* the same color, and all the buildings are *not* from the same era. Except Manchester, New Hampshire. Almost every building there is brick. And the city has been mostly dead since the mills shut down.
Homogeneity is NOT what makes cities wonderful. Urban life doesn’t thrive in some master-planning, centrally themed “district.” If that’s what you want, you can go to Disney’s Celebration or to our very own Santana Row.
I agree that aesthetics are important and new facilities should mesh well with their surroundings, but let’s not waste taxpayer dollars uprooting local businesses or telling landlords to whom they should rent their facilities.
Let’s fill those empty lots with something interesting and cease with the fascism already. Sheesh….
The most infamous business along The Alameda is the degenerate Flamingo Motel at the corner of Race Street. That’s the one which should be closed down saving many 911 calls to that locale./Ellie Molloy (Hester Ave. resident)
Geez, guess that you touched a nerve Single Gal!
I don’t think that she was calling for a homogeneous shopping mall (though you can’t argue with the success of Santana Row.) I think that she just hoping for a consecutive string of fixed up buildings and businesses. Should the city subsidize these – maybe. Should they make it easier to open and run a business downtown – YES!
The Alameda was once a great street and could be once again. Don’t get so defensive people and admit that it could use some TLC.
I thought that the Alameda Whole Foods was sheduled to open 2008, however, I just checked their site, no specific year is given, but if and when it opens it will be over 86,000 square feet, the largest of their new openings in California.
What’s the parking situation at the “BBQ joint?” I doubt if Whole Foods would seriously consider downtown without adequate parking.
But, on a larger scale, parking would appear to hamper development in this area; even if a garage were built we’d be back to the same ol’ problem of paid vrs. free parking at the malls.
This neighborhood should be allowed to develop organically, based on the needs of residents of the high rises. I doubt if it will become a retail destination for others outside of the immediate downtown corridor. Although it sounds appealing to those of us who knew what downtown was, it’s probably not going to happen. Downtown will primarily be known as a business area.
Also, I do think it’s wrong and unfair for Redevelopment to decide to whom downtown property owners can rent or lease their buildings.
The City does have a “plan” for parts of the Alameda. You can view the map at this link…
<a href =“http://www.sanjoseca.gov/planning/gp/PDF/Midtown_web.pdf”> MidTown </a href>
Feel free to check out the City of San Jose’s General Plan document to find out more. You can find General Plan information at this link
<a href = “http://sanjoseca.gov/planning”> General Plan</a>
Have we not learned ANYTHING from the mistakes of the past 20 years Downtown?
Taxpayer #2 – dead on! Relieve the tax burden on Downtown business and watch Downtown come alive.
WW #8 – dead on again! Part of the failure of redevelopment Downtown was the meddling of RDA. Set a tone, yes. Turn business away, no.
Whole Foods Market – on The Alameda at Stockton Avenue is currently scheduled to open late July / early August 2007
Any discussion of this section of The Alameda wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the long-time Alameda chocolate-making small business, Schurra’s! However, if you didn’t know it was there, it is easy to miss….
I’ve been told that “dilapidated old BBQ joint” was considered a landmark destination in the days when hotrods were the thing. But never mind about local history. It’s going and so is the former antique store next door, which is quite interesting architecturally on the inside, although the outside is not much to look at. Also the next building up Stockton that used to sell sports memorabilia.
So that’s three locally owned businesses kicked out to bring in one big chain store. There should be lots of space to park your Lexus when you stop in for some over-priced radicchio.
Don’t try to park there when the store is closed, though. If they’re like the Palo Alto Whole Foods, you’ll get towed.
#13 said: “Don’t try to park there [Whole Foods being built @ The Alameda & Stockton]when the store is closed, though. If they’re like the Palo Alto Whole Foods, you’ll get towed.
Is it too late to put a condition on their development approval that their parking lot will be usable by the general public from one hour after the store closes until one hour before it opens each day?
.
John Michael O’C you are absolutely right. Travelling west under the underpass and West Santa Clara Street become The Alameda and vice-versa. The bend from Greenlee’s to Andy’s Pet Shop is not where the name changes.
SG,
You remind me of the “know it alls” who decided downtown needed redevelopment. The “know it alls” who couldn’t open and operate at business decided to tell the city what businesses they wanted.
Basically, a huge collection of businesses were displaced and their buildings torn down; to be replaced with nothing but big out of place buildings and empty store fronts.
That is the future you and your feel good “know it alls” would like for the alameda.
You just listed a bunch of small businesses that opened and stay open without a dime from the city or RDA. Why don’t you think of the small business owners who actually put thier money where their mouth is? They have a right to exist as well.
And let the “renewal” stay downtown where it belongs!
#11 – Yes, I had heard that WF is scheduled to open 2007, however, a opening date is not listed on their website, hence my comment to concur with SG’s ” ….wondering if it’s become an urban myth.”
# 16 – How about extending the dream from the Rose Garden to Naglee Park?
#23 – By “organically,” I mean allow the area develop by the needs of the area without Redevelopment dictating what they deem the area needs.
#23 – by “high rise,” I mean the same as you with your line “a thousand new housing units,” surely these are not one-story or detached homes. I’m beginning to think that S.I. Hayakawa’s spirit needs to be around to interpret and clarify bloggers terms!
#12 – Sure wish that today’s Schurra’s was like the original where you could custom order from chocolate candy molds; I once sent former President Reagan a chocolate elephant in his declining years. Also loved the loose candy displayed in sacks on the floor. Today’s version is a wisper of what was, but I guess it’s better than nothing.
Got to thinking last night that my concern for the future of retail in downtown began when Alta closed at The Fairmont. Since then they have opened 3 branches, the latest in Los Gatos. Would also be nice to have something to replace the loss of McWhorter’s too.
Whatever happened? Look at downtown Los Altos, Palo Alto, they still have independent stores without a major anchor and appear to be busy foot traffic areas. Is it because these are high income areas?
Fprgot to mention that I hope the hand car wash at Stockton and The Alameda is not forced out of business someday. It’s a great little place to quickly clean the exterior of your car for $5! It’s not the best, but will do in this weather, a great little find. .
Jesus, don’t you have other people to take out your anger on? Anyway….was NOT saying I wanted a homogeneous Santana Row, was just saying is there a frickin PLAN anywhere??? San Jose is all about potential areas and nothing ever ties them together….
Single Gal,
If you were in your prepubescent years back in the fifties and wanted to have a great Saturday afternoon, you’d beg your parents to take you the Roller Rink (Skateland I think it was) on the south side of Santa Clara St. just east of Race Street. After a few falls and cool moves, you’d have to find a partner just to stay on the rink and skate the partners laps.
After that you’d ask your folks to stop at the Drive In down near Stockton or head for the Crystal Creamery for a soda.
Mmmmm. Those were the days.
#8 Wonder Woman,
This neighborhood should be allowed to develop organically, based on the needs of residents of the high rises.
By “neighborhood”, I hope you mean downtown. The Alameda is not downtown. It starts at the tracks and does not include high rises. Adding high rises would only serve to make The Alameda even more discombobulated.
Right on Single Gal!
Keep the dream alive. The Alameda is one of the hottest business districts in San Jose. There are over a thousand new housing units coming online all along The Alameda and much more retail in the works beyond Whole Foods.
Check out:
http://www.retailwestinc.com/investments/rosegardendistrict/flyer.pdf
The Alameda is not without its challeges. If we want The Alameda to take off with all the new apartment dwellers generating foot traffic, we need to make The Alameda more pedestrian friendly. This will require rerouting highway 82. Cindy made the motion on the last RDA budget to spend money to study the move. Let’s hope Chuck can follow through and make The Alameda a grand gateway to downtown.
The roller rink was called “Rollerland” and I believe the rink is still there underneath the raised floor of the appliance parts/book store businesses that currently occupy that building. Back in the 60’s when I skated there a few times it was a pretty seedy snack bar scene up front, right out of the skid row 40’s but it was still a busy place full of kids on a weekend or during summer vacation.
I’ve always wondered why there wasn’t a more artsy and intellectual atmosphere along The Alameda since it connects two universities and you’d think that these students would want to watch an art house flick at the Towne (I guess I was wrong about that considering Camera Cinemas bailed and what’s playing there these days) or hang at some kind of coffee house that isn’t contrived (I guess I was wrong about that considering Cafe Leviticus bailed and what’s playing there these days) so I’ve come to the conclusion that SJ just isn’t ready for a happening scene on The Alameda yet. We’re getting closer as the loft type developments come in, but doubt we’ll see the hustle and bustle of the days when Falstaff was in full swing and things were, shall we say, hopping over on that particular stretch.
Amen to SJDowntowner #7, and give SG a break people! Just like you have your right to express SMALL TOWN thinking, SG and many of us have ours to THINK BIG! My take on The Alameda is that it should become San Jose’s version of “Melrose Avenue (LA),” complete with high-end shops, restaurants, and sophisticated loft-housing (see http://www.loftsunlimited.com for examples). The Alameda can become a truly great street of San Jose, linking the greater downtown and HP Pavilion to the Rose Garden…if only many of you who visit this site would dare to dream.
Single Gal, I have fond memories of the old dilapidated BBQ joint. It was there for many years and was known as The Oak Room. They dished up some of the most delicious ribs, steaks, etc. in town. I believe it was about eight or ten years ago that the family owned and run business ran into some financial problems, closed and never re-opened. We lost a fine establishment with that closing.
JMO you are right on The Alameda, but it is Stockton Ave. not Street.
For you old San Joseans, do you remember the roller rink on the south side of The Alameda towards Race St., Richmond Case Canneries main office on the north side, half way between Stockton Ave. and Race St.?
Single Gal
It is good that you look at parts of our City and dream what it could be. We all should do more of that.
Just a bit of clarification for #13 and 17 above…
The Oak Room was demolished about two years ago and a Barry Swenson Builder housing project is going up there – maybe done now (right across from Billy DeFrank Center – not HIV center SG).
The BBQ place was originally John’s Drive-In in the late 50s and early 60s. Closed and eventually turned into an A&W Root Beer. Coney Island day – six dogs for a buck in the mid-70s. Initiated my protruding stomach.
And for the real old timers, the antique store before it was a Coca Cola Bottling plant was known as San Jose Tractor.
I sure miss all the animals painted on the side of Andy’s Pet Shop. ( You still can see a few at the top of the wall) I remember the Falstaff Brewery across the street, was it Eagle or Fredrick’s Brewery before that? (before my time) I know the other brewery was at the site of the Saint Clair Hotel. The condos at the old Del Monte site #51 should be a great addition to the area. By the way, Del Monte was Calpak before that, got its name from a fruit label they distributed. The name was changed in the 60’s so customers would better associate the brand with the company. The brand was started by an Oakland Co. that made coffee for the Del Monte Hotel in Monterey in the 1800’s.
Did they serve you on roller skates at John’s (later the A&W) or did I just see American Graffiti one too many times?
Thanks, Old San Jose. Very interesting.
Camera Cinemas closed Camera 1, Camera 3 and the Towne when the city talked them into taking over the ghost cinemas downtown that are now Camera 12. I would imagine they have a good idea of how many screens can be operated in a given market.
The Towne now shows Indian films, and I keep hoping it will attract a budget Indian restaurant like Spice Hut or Chaat House into the area. There is a Spice Hut at 1st and Hedding, though.
From what I’ve heard from other business owners in the area, Cafe Leviticus closed because of management problems, not lack of customers. There is now Peets just down the street.
SJSU is really a commuter campus, Santa Clara students seem to stay close to home, and they are a bit far apart to develop a “Campustown”.
The used bookstore in the old roller rink building is one of the best in the Bay Area.
The Alameda has the potential to become a nice neighborhood business area like Claremont, but forcing a lot of chains in would kill it.
Old San Jose, have you given thought to writing guest columns in Leonard McKay’s blog? I’d like to hear more about your recollections of San Jose.
SG: You are sooo wrong headed. Have you ever lived in or spent more than a few minutes in an “east coast city”? What makes for a vibrant and active urban area is the variety of businesses, residences. It is the variety of architectural styles that give an area its charm and make it interesting.
You are advocating making all our neighborhoods into shopping malls where everything is sterile, uniform and controlled. This does not create a city, it creates a theme park.
# 31 Greg,
Thanks, but asking me to write in Leonard’s blog is like asking a little leaguer to bat for Barry Bonds. I also miss Mondays with Leonard. It would be nice to hear from guest historians like: Franklin Maggi, Leslie Masanaga, Paul Bernal, Jerry Rosenthal, Jack Douglas and many more. Perhaps Tom could ask history groups like The Pioneers, PAC SJ and The Victorian Preservation Society to rotate writing articles each Monday. On the fourth Monday of each month a guest “regular old timer” that is not part of any group, but has fond memories of old San Jose, could be featured.
Good suggestion, OSJ #33.
I am a relative newcomer here, and always enjoyed listening to Leonard discuss what happened here Back in The Day.
Those who still remember could give the rest of us some respite from the storm.
I am beginning to think that section of San Jose is starting to become like Lincoln Ave. here in Willow Glen. This will probably accelerate the small shops to eventually be pushed out for medium and larger sized chain stores. The old Mom and Pops are the victims. If you have watched the real estate section’s growing median price for that zip code you will see that area is getting more and more expensive. This will force this process along since the only businesses that can afford to update (or be asked to update by City Hall) are not the Mom and Pops.
Growing up in Los Gatos in the 60’s and 70’s, downtown Santa Cruz Ave. was not much. You could go down there on the weekend and spend your whole day enjoying yourself. But now after the “big” money has forced its way in, you have to a rich snob to enjoy it since the rich snobs are the ones looking down their noses at you if you’re not “like them”.
Then I moved to Willow Glen in the 80’s which made me remember the “old” days of downtown L.G. when I was younger. But Lincoln Ave. is now becoming very similar to Santa Cruz Ave. and Willow Glen much more like Los Gatos with the tear down old houses springing up some “Monster”. The locals have asked for years to make Lincoln 2 lanes (just like S.C. Ave.) so it can become more “eclectic”.
So be careful what you wish for. You just might see snobby Los Gatos in your future on the Alameda. I can see it now…..Andy’s Pet Shop will become “Andy’s Day Spa for Pampered Pooch’s and Kitties”.
#35 SBV
I have lived in Willow Glen most of my life and have seen it when the downtown was up in the 50’s & 60’s and down in the late 70’s & 80’s. Citizens need to stay involved and keep a close eye on new projects. There is a balancing act between keeping it quaint and meeting todays needs. Two of my biggest concerns are the beautiful turn of the century home that is in the parking lot behind BevMo, and the other home with the store built on its front that housed Blanes Lighting. (This home is much like the home that houses C.B. Hannigan in L.G.) Both buildings tell a story of when Lincoln Ave. was mostly residential and contribute to making the downtown quirky and charming. In the future they should learn from Saratoga and Los Gatos and reuse them as restaurants or bed and beakfasts rather than destroying them for chain stores.
Correction from #28
It was Fredericksburg Brewery, built ca 1868.
The beautiful old brewery that looked like a castle was destroyed by a fire at the turn of the century. The building that replaced it was later occupied by Falstaff.
I love what is happening with The Alameda. It’s been a long time in coming, but finally we are turning the corner. Best buys in the future will be between the Alameda and Park Ave, west of Race Street. Blighted for a long time, these little homes will again flourish.
I would also love to see the Burbank come back, which it will in the long run.
Wow, reading these posts have brought back great memories. I grew up in that exact area. My mother met my father at the Crystrtal Creamery circa 1946. I ate A&W hot dogs on coney island day. Skated at rollerland before and after ir closed. Back in 1976 we talked the land lord into letting us build a huge wooden skateboard ramp inside the arena until unruly peolpe vandalized the joint. My mother would get my birthday cakes at Greenleys. I used to go and watch real monkey’s and miniture turtles at Andy’s pet shop. I used go with my father to Octoberfest at the old Falstaf brewery. I bought gadgets at TAP plastics. I bought candy from Scherras. I ate at the Oak room. My grandfather was a night watchman at Del Monte. I sneaked in the alley way door to sneak a terrifing glimpse of early 70’s porn at the old Towne theater. And I went to the old, portable and new Hester school buildings. I used use the underpass in front of the school. I lived on Martin and Scheile avenues. God I miss it.
Falstaf Brewery. Was it located here? Any history on it would be great.