Happy Hollow Park and Zoo
The Happy Hollow Park and Zoo Project is on a two-phase construction cycle. Phase I includes closing the Roberts Avenue landfill for a new proposed parking lot and entrance, picnic facilities, and miscellaneous improvements on the east side of Coyote Creek. The Project design is 100% complete but project is temporarily on hold until the Bridge project is resolved. The bridge has a significant schedule, budget, and design impact on the parking lot project. Phase II includes feasibility, design and construction of the interim entry into the existing park and zoo, an expanded zoo area, attractions area, admin buildings, and green buffer. On November 2007, Council awarded this phase of the project to West Bay Builders. Construction started February 2008. The Grand Reopening will be on March 20, 2010.
Affordable Housing Projects
It is our goal to provide City of San Jose residents with affordable housing and to give more people the opportunity to purchase a home. In order to realize this goal, the city has built 10,136 affordable housing units to date and there are 1,407 more units currently under construction. We are fortunate to have 3 of these affordable housing projects in our district, which has provided over 700 families with a warm place to live. Here are the projects in our community:
- Almaden Family at 1525-1541 Almaden Road.
- Corde Terra at 150 Tully Road.
- Paseo Senter I & II at 1970, 1986 & 1099 Senter Road
Corde Terra Senior Housing Groundbreaking and Grand Opening
ROEM Development Corporation hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the Corde Terra Senior Apartments in April 2008. The development includes 200 one-bedroom affordable housing units for senior households at 30% of area median income (AMI), assuming the continuation of HUD subsidies. The Grand Opening took place on February 19, 2010.
The Plant Groundbreaking (on the former General Electric site
The old GE Site is now site of a shopping center, called “The Plant.” This community is an underserved retail market, and “The Plant” has served as a source of new jobs for the area. This project is a 646,000 square foot Regional Power Center on 56 acres, the largest in the City’s history which features a town plaza and community park. Target, Ross and Home Depot as well as an array of well known restaurants are open for business at The Plant.
Vieira Park at Communications Hill
Vieira Park opened for the community on October 4, 2008. This 1.3 acre turnkey park, which includes seating areas and tables, concrete walkways, arched/masonry entry columns and walls, open turf area, security lighting, trash enclosures, tot lot and general landscaping in an urban park square configuration.
Bellevue Park
Bellevue Park opened for the community in October 2006. The park includes a play area, restroom building, picnic tables, benches, ornamental fountain, irrigation, and landscaping.
Coyote Creek Trail
Several years ago, City staff conducted a series of public meetings to master plan the Coyote Creek Trail, north of Los Lagos Golf Course. Since that time, the City has secured environmental clearance and completed construction drawings for a half mile extension. The extension of the Coyote Creek Trail from Tully Road to the Los Lagos Golf Course will include over 2,500 ft of new paved trail that will meander along the east bank of the creek within Stonegate Park, pass behind the police department’s horse stables, and meander through open space near the Tully Road Ball Fields. Like all new trail projects, Tully Road will benefit from stone entry columns to increase awareness of the trail system and add additional character to our neighborhood. This extension was completed and opened in August 2009.
Communication Hills- Fire Station # 33
On August 9, 2006, city staff had a groundbreaking ceremony for Fire Station 33 on Communications Hill. This is a $4.4 million dollar non-bond “turnkey” fire station project funded by private development. It is approximately 6,200 S.F., two-story, two-bay apparatus, single company fire station on a half an acre site. Fire Station 33 was completed and opened in September 2007. This Fire Station was also spared from the budget cuts during the FY 2009-2010 budget cycle.
ADA Ramps in West Evergreen & KONA SNI
These two groups, as part of their Top 10 Priorities, identified the installation of curb ramps as a priority. Curbs ramps were installed at 100 identified streets in each Strong Neighborhood area making it safer for our elderly, families, and disabled persons to access the sidewalks.
Improve and Beautify Lower Silver Creek (West Evergreen)
Improve and beautify Lower Silver Creek alignment through the neighborhood. PRNS hired a consultant in March 2006, for a $15,000Environmental Study. The study hoped to document environmental issues and propose remedies, such as landscape architectural modifications, for an open channel along the Lower Silver Creek (South) alignment between Corda Drive and Kin Road.
OB Whaley Ball Fields Joint Use Project
This project is a partnership with the City of San Jose, the San Jose Redevelopment Agency and the Evergreen Elementary School District to ensure that children have access to high quality recreational fields that will help them live healthy lives, improve physical fitness, and promote sports activities. The grand opening celebration took place in December 2008, with several hundred people in attendance. Councilmember Nguyen threw out the first pitch in the field.
Build partnerships with schools to improve appearance of sites and facilities (KONA)
The Urban Planning Department of San Jose State University conducted a facilities and services assessment in order to prepare an action plan for investment in school improvements. Phase I has been completed (resident needs assessment). As part of Phase II SJSU conducted a facilities and services assessment and feasibility study related to school improvements. All assessments have been completed.
Alma Senior and Youth Center Improvements
Many meetings were held to hear the community’s input on the schematic plan for the Alma Senior and Youth Center Improvement project. The plan was drafted by RDA and PRNS staff, using community input from previous years. Phase I improvements include: clearing, grading and paving of newly acquired parcel to extend the existing parking lot on Alma Avenue with related drainage, landscape, lighting, basketball court and security improvements. Phase I is currently complete (only exception is staff is still in negotiations with owner, Clear Channel regarding the removal of the billboard), and funding has been allocated for Phase II.
Alma Storm Drain
Storm drains were improved South of Alma Ave, in the Alma neighborhood, particularly in Little Orchard Street and Pomona, Sanborn and Ford Streets.
Burke Street and Senter Road
The traffic signal installation at Burke Street and Senter Road was activated on October 27, 2005. This traffic signal will improve pedestrian and vehicle mobility and provide safe crossing for the businesses and residents in the neighborhood.
Design Scope & Conceptual Design for School Hub (Tully/Senter)
Scoping and conceptual design of a school-community hub at Fair Middle School. The NAC has identified a permanent hub as its highest priority. Improvements to the Santee Neighborhood Action Center are not feasible at this time due to cost constraints. On February 26, 2010 Councilmember Nguyen along with the Franklin McKinley School District and other community partners launched the Franklin McKinley Children’s Zone, centered around the Santee area that will create a safe, fun environment where kids can learn and thrive. This initiative seeks to coordinate existing educational, health, social service, housing, neighborhood and economic development efforts to provide a comprehensive community development approach to cutting poverty for families in the Santee and Fair neighborhoods.
Tully/McLaughlin Pedestrian Traffic Devices
The installation of the traffic devices was completed in June 2006.
Tully Road Parking Lot Improvements
Tully Road Library parking lot is gravel and is currently in the process of being paved.
Holly Hill Infrastructure Improvements
Holly Hill Drive, at McLaughlin Avenue, now has pavement, curbs, gutters, and a sidewalk on the north side of Holy Hill, 125 feet east of McLaughlin Avenue. This project is completed.
Improve Access to Elementary Schools (Spartan/Keyes)
At a neighborhood meeting held on November 1, 2005, the NAC approved a list of 8 intersections to receive pedestrian countdown upgrades along Keyes (@ 1st, 3rd, 7th), Martha (@ 1st, 3rd), Oak and First Street, and Hwy 280 (@ 10th). This project is now complete.
King/Story Road Street & Sidewalk Improvements
King Road, between Marsh Street and Lido Way: construction of street and sidewalk improvements on King Road and Story Road. This project was completed in December 2006.
Lucretia Avenue Improvements (Story Road to Phelan Avenue)
The project widens Lucretia Avenue to accommodate four lanes, where feasible, between Story Road and Phelan Avenue. It will also construct pavement, curbs, gutters, a sidewalk, streetlights and a drainage system. Project completed in December 2006.
Painted Island at Rocksprings
Our office together with the Dept of Transportation, worked to alleviate the traffic hazard at the corner of Rocksprings and Needles. As a result, a painted median island has been installed in order to make that intersection safer for the residents and children of that area.
Phelan Avenue/ Roberts Avenue Pedestrian Improvements
Phelan Avenue/east of Roberts Avenue Project includes the construction of median island pedestrian refuge, reconstruction of AC pavement, and installation of crosswalks and traffic signs. This project has been completed.
Traffic Signal: Phelan & 7th
Installation of a new traffic signal system for safety of pedestrians and motorists. Project completed in September 2007.
Senter Road Widening
The City Council approved a contract to widen Senter Road to bidder, Top Grade Construction, at the March 6, 2007 council meeting. The project is for improvements on Senter Road, between Tully Road and Singleton Road. Residents will see new landscaping, gutters, sidewalk, driveways, street trees and median island landscaping. There will also be traffic signal modifications and additional left turn lanes in the north and south leg of Senter and Capitol expressways. Upon completion, this segment of the roadway will accommodate three lanes of traffic and a bicycle lane in each direction. This project has been completed.
Seven Trees Sidewalk Project
$5 million was set aside from fiscal year 06-07 budget for a Citywide SNI program. Seven Trees was chosen as one of the neighborhoods selected as part of the pilot program. The program will bring in existing city resources to the neighborhood, and work with the community to identify projects that will improve the quality of life for the residents and surrounding communities in Seven Trees. Earlier this year, the City Council voted unanimously to approve 1 million for construction of a sidewalk on Seven Trees Blvd. The project was completed in April 2010.
Spartan Little League
Spartan Little League is in year one of a two-year agreement with the City allowing for use of the Tully Community Ball Fields and concessions building. The City has established use fees specific to the site built around the cost to maintain the fields. The agreement allows the League to offset the field use fees through maintenance activities at the site. In addition, the League is to pay 15% of net operating costs of the concession operation to the City. The agreement allows for a third year option with the concession fees going up to 20% in that year.
Street Sweeping “No Parking” Signs
My office has been working with the Department of Transportation for the past year to get permanent “No Parking for Street Sweeping” signs installed in several areas in Council District 7. After several studies, much community input and exhausting alternative solutions, the following areas have been considered by the Department of Transportation for the Fiscal Year 2006-2007: Terilyn Avenue/Miami Drive, Alvin Avenue/Fontaine Road, Seven Trees Blvd/Rancho Dr.
Towers Lane
Towers Lane Project is finally complete. Towers Lane is one of the oldest dirt roads in San Jose that took more than 20 years to pave. After many years of planning, the area that was once a dirt road is now a newly constructed public street with curbs, sanitary sewers, storm drain systems, sidewalks, wheel chair ramps, streetlights, and trees.
San Jose Municipal Stadium
Municipal Stadium has been home to the San Jose Giants for the past 60 years. Built in 1942, the stadium has long been regarded as one of the City’s most unique and treasured community assets. Despite its growing popularity, many features of Municipal Stadium are still grossly outdated, in great disrepair and in critical need of improvements to bring the facility to a standard that reflects well on the City of San Jose. In December 2008, Councilmember Nguyen secured $600,000 in RDA funds to help bring the stadium up to current standards. Funds will be used to upgrade and expand public restrooms; replace two outdated concourse food service areas; replace locker rooms and training areas; replace perimeter fence that encloses the stadium; replace home and visiting team player dugout areas; replace and upgrade seating areas in operations center and press box; and provide electrical upgrades with computer and phone lines. In Fiscal Year 2009-2010, Councilmember Nguyen secured $300,000 in RDA funds for electrical upgrades to the Stadium.