BART Phase II Time Table

Posted on by September 6, 2017

We are approaching the final weeks of the BART Phase II approval process.  In the coming weeks, decisions will be made on STATION LOCATIONS and TUNNEL TECHNOLOGY for the following District 3 relevant BART Stations:

  • Alum Rock/28th Street
  • Downtown San Jose
  • Diridon Station

Councilmember Raul Peralez in his capacity as the District 3 representative and a VTA Director is committed to ensuring that all District 3 residents and stakeholders have an opportunity to share their voice at these public hearings.

  • If you are unable to attend a meeting, you are more than welcome to share with us your written comments or a letter and we will forward them to the appropriate party.
  • Please be advised that all meeting agendas and live stream links can be found at the City of San Jose and VTA Board of Director website.

We look forward to your involvement in this process.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Thank you,
David Hai Tran
Council Assistant
Office of Councilmember Raul Peralez
City of San Jose, District 3
200 E. Santa Clara St., 18th Floor
San José, CA 95113
(408) 535-4932

Council Action on Amenities

Posted on by April 12, 2017

Last night (April 11) the city council deliberated on the proposed implementation Chapters on funding Amenities for the Little Portugal and Roosevelt Park urban villages. These chapters supplement the village plans with procedures for funding amenities, including parks, trails, streetscape improvements, public art and affordable housing. Without this we would just get higher density development and none of the things that actually pull together a community and make it a village. The mayor and four council colleagues, including Raul Peralez … Continue reading →

Providing Amenities for Urban Villages

Posted on by April 9, 2017

The city council’s approval of the implementation chapters for the Roosevelt Park & Little Portugal urban villages is being deferred again.  The mayor and four council members (including Raul & Magdalena) have signed a memo recommending deferral and significant revisions.  You can read it through the link below (thanks to Frances in the Vice Mayor’s office).   Amendment of the Roosevelt Park Urban Village Plan and the Little Portugal Urban Village Plan adding an Implementation Chapter to each Plan   … Continue reading →

The Central Plaza

Posted on by March 20, 2017

Part of our vision for the 28th Street BART station is a central plaza, similar to those in Portugal, with a band stand.  It would be a place where the local Portuguese bands could play and entertain. (details below)  The above picture is from the city of Sabadell in Spain. On the 130th anniversary of the founding of Banco Sabadell, they wanted to pay homage to their home city..  They sponsored a campaign called “Som Sabadell” (We are Sabadell) . … Continue reading →

BART Phase II Status Update

Posted on by April 23, 2017

This is a summary of the current state of the BART Phase II  project.  The Draft SEIS/SEIR has been released and the public review and comment period will end Feb. 20, 3017. Silicon Valley Business Journal January 23, 2017, the Silicon Valley Business Journal published a good overview of the current state of the BART Phase II  project. Are you ready for a subway? Digging for BART begins in two years The bottom-line is simple.  With the passage of Proposition … Continue reading →

Posted in VTA

Empire Lumber Project Community Meeting Report

Posted on by August 16, 2016

On Monday, 15 August 2016, over 60 community members gathered at the Roosevelt Community Center for the City of San Jose Planning Department’s public meeting on the proposed development of the Empire Lumber Site (E. Santa Clara between 26th & 28th Streets). That is an impressive turnout — thanks to all who participated.   The advocate for the developer described the project and then took questions and comments — and those present had a lot to say. Among continuing concerns: … Continue reading →

Action Alert: Empire Lumber

Posted on by August 8, 2016

The Planning Department Community Meeting on the Empire Lumber Development Project is coming up Monday, August 15, 6:30 p.m. at the Roosevelt Community Center.  Only those who live within 1000 feet of the site have had any official notice about the meeting.   Their original notice was for a meeting on the proposed general plan amendments on height and retail floor area, but we have learned that the Planned Development for the project will also be on the agenda.  That … Continue reading →

The BART station at 28th street is not negotiable!

Posted on by May 27, 2016

It seems like our struggle to assure a BART station at 28th Street (formerly known as the Alum Rock Station) may not yet be over. We’ve heard recently that some folks in Santa Clara are suggesting that one of the three stations planned for San Jose (28th Street, Diridon or downtown) should be dropped to assure that Santa Clara will have a BART station. We understand taking a cautious attitude about what VTA promises and can build, but we regret … Continue reading →

Developer Round Table

Posted on by May 9, 2016

The only problem I had with the Alum Rock Area Developer Round Table, held on April 25, 2016 at city hall, was the name.  It really should have been called the 28th Street Area Developer Round Table. Other than that, I felt it was very, very successful gathering. Here is my review of the event. After being presented with a overview by city staff of the financial and developmental history of the area and a quick introduction to the community’s … Continue reading →

BART station April CWG Report

Posted on by April 21, 2016

From Terry Christensen to the BART Transit Village Advocates, The Community Working Group for the BART station formerly known as “Alum Rock” met on April 13th. The Power Points for the items discussed are available for download in PDF format. Mostly we heard up-dates on funding and other issues. We also heard a report, that had been requested by members of the Working Group, on the prospects of gentrification and displacement including some mitigating measures the City of San Jose … Continue reading →