When I was a child, my family and I would patronize the downtown. I fondly remember attending shows at the Center for the Performing Arts and the San Jose Symphony. Like many families, we would walk to Original Joes after the shows.
The arts act like candles for the downtown, shedding light on the wonderful museums, restaurants and other amenities that draw people out of their homes and to the city center. Whether it’s theater or music, the arts brings people to the downtown core. Without the arts, our downtown would have ceased to exist.
I am thankful that my parents introduced me to corduroy clothing and the arts as a child. Those early experiences have led me to continue to patronize the arts as an adult. The past two weekends, I have attended four theater venues: San Jose Repertory Theater, San Jose Stage Company, City Lights Theater and Comedy Sportz Improv. The patrons thoroughly enjoyed themselves at all of the shows. However, the caveat to the evening was that after the performance, the patrons could not stay at the theater and enjoy an after-the-show cocktail.
Although we have many nightclubs and bars for “twenty-somethings” in the downtown, we lack options for “grownups” to hang out. I propose that we promote a different entertainment option with on-site full liquor licenses for theater venues. I believe that an on-site liquor license would increase revenues for the downtown theaters and provide a place for patrons to gather after a show. There is more profit in a cocktail than a theater ticket, so having a lounge with seating and music would be a great business opportunity and a nice alternative to a nightclub.
Currently, several theater companies are facing uncertainty because their lease agreements are expiring. I propose that San Jose work with its theater companies and listen to their needs. Assistance with relocating the theaters in the downtown by issuing permits in a timely manner would be a step in the right direction.
I also propose that San Jose considers locating theater companies closer together to create an “arts district” that will help promote other small businesses, like restaurants, and produce a “feel” for our downtown area. Other cities have succeeded in creating something similar.
Historically, the arts have been the differentiator for downtown. We must work to ensure that the arts not only remain downtown, but that they grow and thrive there too. Investments in the arts reap returns both in quality of life and economic growth. Arts stimulate consumer spending and attract creative people who tend to start new companies that provide employment and add to our tax base.
Pierluigi Oliverio represents District 6 on the San Jose City Council.
Excellent points, PO. This is a thorough testament to the piecemeal planning we’ve seen throughout the Downtown “redevelopment” process. And, pray tell, is there a current plan in operation for Downtown “redevelopment”? Or do we get so excited that anyone wants to do business downtown gets approved, no matter if the business and location doesn’t fit the model?
Mr. Oliverio – you are correct that it is the arts and cultural attractions that make downtown what it is. Since downtown will never have major retail it makes sense to build upon what we have.
There is an effort underway to restore the historic clock tower at the SJ Museum of Art. The upper 40 feet was destroyed in the ‘06 quake. This could add significant appeal to the downtown.
A restored tower would become a genuine landmark. The wonderful Nels Johnson clock therein is one of the last remaining handwound clocks in the US. This unique treasure however cannot strike the fine Meheeny Bell since the tower now lacks its belfry.
Imagine midnight on New Years Eve as citizens gather below to hear the clock ring in the New Year. A new and wonderful cultural event for downtown is at hand.
It’s About Time, a citizen committee devoted to restoring the clock tower is working on this and can certainly use the support of the community.
A side benefit of this effort may result in a nationally ranked clock museum being located downtown. This can help in making downtown an arts and cultural destination.
As with all community projects this will require support of the community and its leaders.
Don’t you get it?! Downtown SJ fails, according to Economist Magazine on March 3-9 edition, page39. Go and read it. There’s no hope for downtown. Downtown will never be brought back to life again, at least not in our lifetime. Downtown needs 2/3 of commerce of the whole valley. It also needs balk of retail and corporate headquarters in the downtown area, not out in the outlying areas. Is Google planning on moving to downtown SJ? no. How about high end stores such as Urban Outfitter and Ann Taylor? No! Arts won’t cut it! Downtown has arts for many years, and if they expand it, it won’t make a difference! Downtown is a 4 billion dollar failure.
#3 – okay then, mystery guy, you’ve defined the problem. Now what’s the solution?
You have been beating anyone and everyone around here with that godforsaken article in The Economist for the last month or so, always moaning about what is wrong with San Jose.
So tell us, mystery genius, what can be made right about the city?
Or should the status quo remain, if for nothing else then to serve as a conveinent source of bellyaching for you and your compatriots?
Hey, Mystery guy, you should mellow a bit and look at the reality of the Downtown. It was murdered; it did not die. And the culprit was powerful social and economic forces that swept over the US in the post-war era. We lost much of our history, tradition and economic base. Only the most informed and principled of Councils could have saved the center, its tax base and the scores of small businesses there. That we have come back so far – with museums and HP Paviion and Transit, is the miracle, not some silly article in the “Economist” or your ramblings. The proof is in the millions from all economic and social groups who enjoy it. It is what it is, and your naysaying will not change that a bit. Try to educate yourself on cities in the 20th Century – a fascinating topic – and you will understand my comments. Good reading. TMcE
What I don’t get is why everyone is trying to mold the small existing downtown into their own image, instead of expanding downtown to include multiple scenes and districts. If you don’t like the nightclubs, don’t go to them. Build your more casual joint elsewhere in an area that fits it. Why can’t downtown nightlife reach up to Japantown or down First/Monterey? Why is a city so big trying to be anchored by an area so small?
I’m almost as old as Tom, almost I said, but I do remember selling newspapers in front of OJs and shining shoes outside the San Jose Mercury building. And playing pool at Downtwon Bowl!
Yes, it was killed. And yes it has come back a long way. I do believe the downtown does have a future. About seven years ago I moved my company away from downtown. I just moved it back. Within that very short period of time, I and my employees have witnessed an amazing turn-around.
There really are people walking up and down the streets of downtown during the day. Amazing!…
Life has returned. Retail has not, not yet , but it will.
Good strong neighborhoods with small commercial districts and small parks are a bliss, but a strong downtwon is something that can be wonderful.
Only a vibrant downtown can support the types of commercial and cultural environment that can make San Jose more than just a bedroom community. No other city is stepping forward with the vision to make it happen.
Where is the cultural center of the south bay? De Anza college?… I don’t think so.
It is up to SJ. Just keep up the effort and more success will follow.
Norm
Ok, it’s(downtown) one of many different downtowns in the area. Maybe, it’s not so bad after all, but the concept of “downtown” is defeated. You still can enjoy the HP Pavillion, new city hall, riverpark and the restored California theater; however, it’s not the downtown that’s it’s the center of the region like in 1940’s. To remedy it or improve it, just put density in the downtown area with alot of new highrises. The more, the merry it’ll be! Density is king! The city council should put a curb on retail developments on the outlying area and kind of bribe the nearby cities, so they wouldn’t lure retailers to their locations. That way, San Jose will have an easier job of bring stores to the core of the city: its heart. Meanwhile, I encourage you guys read “Economist” which I stated #3 above. It’s an intelligent and acurate magazine.
You the man Pierluigi! Here’s the future of downtown San Jose Mr. mystery (Economist be damned!): Cisco and EBay headquarters on Almaden Blvd., along with expanded Adobe and numberous smaller software companies, a great arts/theater district at SoFA, NBA at The Tank, BART, true urban density with infill developments and high-rise housing, exciting Fountain Alley historic district, with a retail “patio vibe” reminiscent of current Gordon Biersch outdoor dining, vibrant ground-floor retail, with Virgin Megastore, Borders, and Pier One occupying Central Place, Barnes & Noble occupying 360 residence, Living Tomorrow at 1st and San Fernando…and a grand international bazaar at the former Pavilion Shops! What do you think of that one RIPavilion? In closing Mr. Mystery, DSJ is on its way!
Rose Garden Dad, you have to pay for it if you go on the web. Just go to your local library and look for the March 3-9 edition of Economist magazine. They have them at downtown’s Martin Luther King library. Bye the way, it’s on page 39 of the magazine: to make it easier for you to look for it. Good reading!
Pierluigi Oliverio,
You say that “The Arts Make Downtown”. Do you include downtown architecture as part of its art? If so, I agree with your statement 100%. Our architecture is clearly our most visable works of art. They also best tells the story of our city’s evolution. What will you do, as our representative, to ensure that we preserve these great works of art? What will you do to ensure that the new projects you approve are potential landmarks of the future? Are you willing to make sure that we preserve our National Register Landmark, IBM #25 Building in South San Jose? Our City needs a leader who respects our heritage, are you willing to take the job?
#9 – What do I think of your rant? I’d love it if it would all come true. But then I heard the same thing in the Pavilion. And whatever happened to Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the Pavilion? Never happened. You drop a lot of names, but who’s actually signed a lease? Who’s signed a MOU? Who’s got a shovel in the ground? I’ll believe it when I see it—in brick and mortar, not in words on SJI.
mysteryguy: can you post us or email us the economist story? i can’t get it off their website. And FYI, Economist is a fun magazine, but it’s just a magazine: their editorial differentiator is their knack for making sweeping negative comments about people and businesses and ideas that are usually overblown and dated by the time they get into the mag. But they’re such good writers they make it sound persuasive. Don’t believe everything you read!
DSJ#9—and who is it that will patronize all these stores you tout for your downtown?
JMOC – he’s hearing that voice again…whispering “if you build it, they will come.”
#9—come in out of the corn field, your dinner’s getting cold…
Sorry all for trying to have a positive vision of our downtown. “If you build it, they will come” seems to have worked for Santana Row. Oh well, I guess tumbleweeds and vacant storefronts downtown is more to the liking of most on this site…such a shame.
You have to build what people want, #16; and it would seem free parking has to be part of the deal.
It takes a lot to get people to come downtown who don’t work here, or to get them to either stay after work or come back once they’ve returned to their suburban dwellings. So many people just refuse to get the fact that this is suburbia, and very few residents want it to become urbia.
Indeed Pierluigi is right—but for the arts downtown, it would be a true ghost town after dark…except for Sharks nights and the thugs who come down to harass each other on the weekends.