The way that city officials, the Downtown Association and downtown business interests are blithely ignoring the oncoming crises of BART construction along the length of Santa Clara Street, reminds me of the horrible early scenes of the beach goers and vacationers in Thailand who failed to recognize the tsunami that was about to consume them.  But, is it merely a case of avoidance or is it foolishness?

Those of us who authorized and lived through the Transit Mall construction will never forget the agony. That will seem a trifle compared to the dislocation and trauma looming for our historical buildings, businesses, and residents along the fateful BART corridor.  I am amazed at the shortness of memories and utter callousness.

Here is an immediate request for our city and VTA leaders:

First, revisit the “cut and fill” construction method that will open three major wounds, 60 feet deep and 600-800 feet long – there is much room to shorten it. Find the way!

Second, locate three parcels of property to serve as staging areas for the long phase of construction.  One would be the 2/3 block of developable property on the southwest corner of Market and Santa Clara Streets. It is optioned by developers and the Redevelopment Agency could easily broker a deal to use and enhance its potential by placing the major BART station there, increasing pedestrian traffic for its ultimate development. Other sites must be found in the HP Pavilion zone and the new City Hall area.  This is elementary common sense.

Finally, an outreach program to inform downtown residents and small businesses must be undertaken immediately. In such a gigantic, four billion dollar project, this is a small matter.  Not to do so is to destroy the village to save it. And, this time, ignorance will not be an excuse.

We have trod this path before in San Jose. Must we punish and destroy the dedicated pioneers who have endured so much to build central San Jose? If our leaders are too blind or stubborn to undertake this approach, that will say more than any commentator can.