San Jose Spotlight

3 days ago | localnewsmatters.org | Vicente Vera |San Jose Spotlight

TEMPERS FLARED AT a recent community meeting when Latino residents in San Jose’s northside neighborhood advocated for design approval of a Chicano-themed mural. Critics of the proposed mural at Backesto Park, including the members of the 13th Street Neighborhood Advisory Committee, turned out the evening of April 16 for a meeting arranged by City Hall officials, hosted by District 3 Councilmember Carl Salas.

3 days ago | nbcbayarea.com | Vicente Vera |San Jose Spotlight

The San Jose Downtown Farmers' Market is returning after a three-year hiatus, with vendors planning to sell fresh corn, tomatoes, citrus fruit and more delights on Wednesdays near the Hammer Theatre. Paolo Obillo, manager and site operator of the Regional Farmers' Market Association, said the original Downtown Farmers' Market was put on pause in 2022 after pandemic-era restrictions, which led to an increased burden on vendors and decreased interest from residents.

4 days ago | localnewsmatters.org | Vicente Vera |San Jose Spotlight

TWO MAJOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS in San Jose are the first to be approved as part of Mayor Matt Mahan’s latest initiative to expedite projects that provide “extraordinary benefits” to the city. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously April 8 to accept proposals from Canada-based real estate company Westbank to develop 1,492 homes across two multi-story towers in downtown — along with twin data centers.

1 week ago | localnewsmatters.org | Joyce Chu |San Jose Spotlight

SAN JOSE IS BREAKING GROUND on its first sanctioned homeless encampment, which will allow 56 people to sleep in tents without fear of being swept this summer. The vacant lot at 1157 E. Taylor St. will serve as a navigation center, where participants will be given three daily meals and have access to showers, laundry facilities and case management.

1 week ago | localnewsmatters.org | Vicente Vera |San Jose Spotlight

HUNDREDS OF FIRST-TIME San Jose homeowners who took out loans with the city to make down payments are set to get back tens of thousands of dollars in home equity. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously April 8 to restore home equity shares for residents who bought homes under the city’s defunct First-Time Homebuyer Loan Program. The 1990s-era program saw low-income homeowners make deals with the city to trade down payment assistance funds for a cut of the future home sale profits.