It is very heartening to read of Jim Fox’s plan to renovate and restore the Sainte Claire Building to its pre-implosion splendor. Although many know it as the Original Joe’s Building, whatever you call it, the building was a vital part of San Jose’s past and can become an important part of the city’s future. Shuttered for 35 years, it is reminiscent of the fiasco when our new Center for the Performing Arts opened in 1972 and, a few months later as workmen were performing some minor repairs, the interior retractable ceiling collapsed. The city’s answer, inexplicably, was to leave it there and litigate. (As one wag suggested, it was like leaving two cars in an intersection for two years while the guilt was assigned.)
The Sainte Claire Building is a vestige of an earlier era—a beautiful place that time and ownership just forgot.
While we are at it, let’s take a look at downtown ownership for a moment. For too long, our downtown has been plagued by absentee or obnoxious commercial property owners who would rather rent for horrible uses (unruly clubs) or just allow the paint to peel on their assets that obviously were not “performing” up to standards. This is a very sad story.
Back to Jim Fox: He restored the New Century Block; he did the DeAnza Hotel with great panache; he has done the old drive-in at the bend of the Alameda, and now this. He is in a select group of people who dream, work, and put their money where their vision and mouth are. Barry Swenson takes his place in those ranks, almost single-handedly saving the architectural beauty and worth of First Street. The hundreds of small business people, living and dead, who fought and continue to fight the battle to serve, improve and prosper in the downtown, are also true heroes—from Andy Pavicich to Steve Borgenhagen, Ed Mosher to Luis Rodriques, Hank Coca to the owners of Hammer and Lewis, and not forgetting the much-lamented icon of yesteryear, Don Goldeen.
They fought and never surrendered. This should be the clarion call for our city.
Greg,
I think the old drive-in that Tom is referring to is the one at Race/Martin/The Alameda. It was originally called “Tiny’s” and had a revolving cobalt blue tiled globe with white neon “equator” spelling out “Tiny’s” and was very art deco in design. As kids we used to sit at the counter and get water served in paper Dixie cup cones that sat in stainless holders.
Tiny’s closed and it became a steak house, I believe it was “The Rare Steer” and the revolving tile globe was replaced with a fiberglass cow. After that, the building languished until it was renovated into the Togo’s/BR/Pasta/Pipe center it is now.
In the 60’s there was a great billboard above the parking lot that had the 3-sided panels that would rotate to change the display a few times per minute. I’m sure it fell victim to an over-reaching beautification ordinance or something back in the 70’s.
This is very bad news. The old San Jose families continue to manipulate the system. The Fox, McEnery, Swenson and Sobrato families making millions crushing the average worker. The old families destroying the new families.
The Sainte Claire building should be demolished and replaced by a steel and glass highrise. Using unionized construction workers we can build a downtown we are all proud of.
It’s always nice to see private citizens step up to the plate and make things happen. Hopefully the city won’t get in the way.
While we are talking about old places to eat and our childhood, does anyone remember the Kirk’s that was on the El Camino in the 50’s? Though we lived in SJ, my father would drive us “way out to Santa Clara” for a burger. It had a several kids rides. I best remember the little roller coaster. For the life of me. I can’t remember where it was on El Camino.
Does anyone remember Willy’s Restaurant on Stevens Creek, in the 1950’s? (World Savings is currently at that location.) It was owned by Gary Radunich’s (now Radnich) parents. Evelyn, Gary’s mom, would be hard at work back in the hot kitchen, while Willy, his Dad, was talking up front with the customers. I’ll always remember Evelyn bringing me a free ice cream cone after dinner. Looks like Gary inherited his Mom’s work ethic and his Dad’s ability to talk, anywhere, anytime.
Funny you would mention property owner’s profiting off bad nightlife operators. Jim fox owns the building that Toon’s is in.
Toon’s is possibly the worst run club downtown. Their clientele is mostly from oakland, richmond and east palo alto. They have police activity and problems almost every weekend night.
I’m sure fox is donating the money he makes to some good cause!
Poor Dennis! He just doesn’t get it! If everything is steel and concrete and glass and built only by the labor unions, the little guy will never be able to rent space and start his own business!
Oh yes, Mark, Tiny’s Drive-in with the beautiful car hops (one went to Hollywood in about 1941 and made it along with everyone else!) was owned by Tiny Nailor who also had a cafe-bar on South First (the Judge’s favorite watering hole) and another drive in over in the big valley. After the war we used to hang out in the bar at the drive in (where the Pomodoro Pasta is now.
JMO – It’s always nice to see private citizens step up to the plate and make things happen. Hopefully the city won’t get in the way.
– now that former insiders on outside are back inside – city should not get in the way while giving away $3 millions taxpayers money which is now ok as we cut city staff and services since it goes to an old San Jose family political ” insider” developer –
5 – If I remember correctly, Kirk’s was on El Camino, not too far from the corner of Kiley—just down the street from the Moonlight Shopping Center—on the same side of the street.
Nice that the Saint Claire Bldg. has a plan; just moldering in such a prominent setting helps no one’s idea of downtown, but even done nicely,as Fox will surely do, will not get any closer to a downtown that even Tom says he wants, a downtown that will overcome the fears of the citizens of our safe and cozy neighborhoods—and attract and charm the tourists of the world, and even San Franciscans. Is Fox THE VISIONEER that we wait so patiently for? Barry, now building ever taller condos? Borkenhagen? Hmm. Even Tom’s vision comes and goes. He pulled the Tank out of the hat, then….?? Writing this from Kansas City, not a place one, including me, thinks of as visionary, I have been stunned by the vision of J.C. Nichols, Harvard grad, architect, developer, long gone in body but
his vision of a large, vital, livable, fun and monumental community progresses, leaving wonderful things behind, and building on them.
The Plaza District, including the astonishing Nelson Atkins Museum, miles of surrounding neighborhoods with 60 ft. landscaped medians, thousands of niche gardens in public spaces, beautifully maintained by the neighbors—not a Parks and Wreck Dept. Probably not the only place a plane ride near San Jose that could be tapped for inspiration—IF we could ever shake loose from what passes for terrific in SJ, but is actually deep fear of anything slightly different.
Maybe our terrific weather is too enervating.
Kansans have long winters to gather energy and catch dreams. George Green
Would someone please write and explain the “Tax increment dollars” that the RDA has to give away to stop blight? Just what is the law? Can that money be used for other things? Is that the money that they are giving for the St Claire Building?
#8 When Kansas City had a “hicksville” image problem the city fathers invested big bucks in a PR campaign to change that image. They were so successful, Kansas City has become one of the major destination & convention cities in the U.S. San Jose should take notes. By the way, George, that’s Kansas City, Missouri.
#9—Huh? Could you repeat that in comprehensible english, please.
What $3million?
Nice to see a post from GG I can get behind. KC was a bigger city than SJ back when land was cheap and building grand boulevards was the order of the day, and the whole problem with SJ is that it was a simple little agricultural town that grew too much too fast and was never laid out by planners 100 years ago to be anything special. Anybody can put up an erector set with a light on top that straddles your average sized intersection. KC was acting on grand visions while SJ was still fast asleep and forgetting to turn out the light.
I think #10 is correct about where Kirk’s was on the El Camino. I remember when it moved to S. Bascom it seemed really way out in the sticks. BTW, their burgers aren’t what they used to be and the service is so invariably unfriendly that I no longer go to Kirk’s. The true steakburger is no more.
Didn’t realize that the name behind Tiny’s was actually Tiny Naylor. No wonder his drive-ins down in LA all had some of the best “Googie” architecture around.
I don’t remember Willy’s at all but I’m sure there are other bloggers who do.
JMOC
Guess Tom left out the $3 million that Redevelopment gave Jim Fox –
http://www.mercurynews.com/spacesandplaces
The city’s redevelopment agency is so convinced that Fox and his partner Kirk Kozlowski can do the job – estimated to cost $11.4 million – that the agency earlier this month voted unanimously to give the developer a $3 million shot in the arm to turn the old doctors’ offices into 36 apartments.
My congratulations to Mr. Fox. We need folks like him to champion preservation of the few remaining historical buildings in the Downtown area. His work on the De Anza Hotel was nothing short of remarkable.
I haven’t seen the old drive-in on the Alameda; was that John’s or the Skylark? I recall quite clearly going to the Skylark with my folks many, many years ago. It was a great pleasure to go there on Sunday evenings. My repast was usually a giant turkey sandwich, fries and a chocolate milkshake. Simpler times….
THE CITY CAN’T GIVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PEOPLE TO HELP THEM RESTORE THE DOWNTOWN. THE POLITICIANS WERE THE ONES THAT DESTROYED IT AND BROKE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHILE DOING IT. IF THEY HAD JUST LEFT IT ALONE IT WOULD BE A BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN TODAY. JUST CHECK A BIT OF RECENT HISTORY, THE LAST 5O YEARS AND SEE WHO THEY WERE AND WHAT THEY DID. THAT IS WHAT TOM MCENERY SHOULD WRITE ABOUT. POLITICANS FROM THE PAST WHO MADE THE WORST MISTAKES, WHO AND WHERE THEY ARE TODAY.
#16—thanks for clueing me in. Does that mean the RDA will stick its hamhanded paws into the construction?
I feel that there is some good in bad people and some bad in good people. Some times it is had to figure determine who the good guys are. Yes he has done a nice job on several buildings but wasn’t Jim Fox the guy that owned the Jose Theater? Didn’t he tell Susan Hammer that it was imposible to return the Jose back into a theater? In fact if I remember correctly, he said “if I can’t do it, nobody could”. I guess the last laugh is on him. I sure enjoyed a comedy performance there a while back. We have PAC SJ and Ron G. to thank for that. The same goes for Barry Swenson. He has saved more historic buildings and demolished more historic buildings in San Jose than any other person. He has also received more tax payers money to do it than anyone else.
When the Oakland A’s presented their Fremont stadium plan, Mr. McEnery praised Mr. Wolfe.
When plans were announced about renovating the Sainte Claire bldg., Mr. McEnery praised Mr. Fox.
When plans were announced for additional parking garage patrols, Mr. McEnery praised the SJPD K-9 German Shepherds.
Very clear to us of the canine conspiracy.
Todd and Dennis
1) Is best use of tens of millions taxes to give $$ to developers for nice to have projects like Sainte Claire Building when San Jose lacks funds for many badly needed city services?
2) Billions have been spent on downtown economic development and redevelopment projects but could taxpayers got greater increased jobs, tax revenues, resident incomes, property values and new local businesses by spend taxes in other RDA areas?
JMOC #14 #20
When has government done anything except to add more costs, regulations, complexity, time and their profit seeking friends to economic development or any government project while not being responsible for results or cost controls?
San Jose has largest redevelopment agency and worst economic results in California
Decades of elected official’s interference, political decisions, mismanagement, back room deals for friends and not being held responsible for results in San Jose winning the Capital of Silicon Valley 3P (P*ss Poor Performance) Award – put that on our city web site
Harry Mavrogenes runs the RDA in a very efficient and effective fashion. He should be commended for his leadership and sensitivity to the taxpayer.
Todd and Dennis
Todd and Dennis – love your posts, your show and I think I ate in your pizza restaurant once. Yes, Wolff and Fox are praised by me; they should be praised by all. The money they made was in doing GOOD things for the citizens of San Jose, not ruining the place and destroying the service levels. TMcE PS I love your light crust!
Mark,
Thanks for the note… I was on the wrong side of the street. I do remember Tiny’s being there for quite some time. Reminds me too of Angelo Lygizos and his restaurant, Angelo’s, just across the street. Back in the 60’s, that was quite a dinner house. I see Angelo from time to time in the PW Supermarket on Meridian and Foxworthy, he’s always the gentleman.
#22 sounds like Borat. Could we have that back in English, please?
OK, Tom, could you add to your effusive praise of Todd & Dennis some clue as to who the hell they are, so that the ignorant among us like myself could be in on the inside ever-so-precious praise of this unknown marvelous duo??????
#24—too much KoolAid; go back to the light crust Tom is so effusive about.
It is a good thing to balance the old with the new … that is in our city’s architecture. What a great feeling it is to explore the detailed workmanship of a handcrafted building from a couple of generations ago !
The combination of the latest technology in lighting mixed with the architectural treasures from the past. San Jose has this opportunity.
It would be exciting to walk in this environment ! Thank you.