A Message from San Jose Downtown Association CEO Brian Kurtz following Tuesday’s City Council Meeting and Action
Earlier tonight, San Jose City Council took bold action to ensure the sustainability and future growth of Downtown San Jose and across the City.
City Council unanimously approved policies including:
- A revision and extension of the Downtown Residential Incentive Program (formerly Downtown High-Rise Incentive) to include conversion of underutilized office buildings;
- The extension of the Multifamily Housing Incentive Program and inclusion of several entitled Downtown and Greater Downtown projects.
On behalf of the San Jose Downtown Association, I applaud this action and thank the leadership of Mayor Mahan and all members of City Council, City Manager Maguire, and Housing Director Solivan for their collective efforts over several months to move these critical housing policies forward.
A vibrant Downtown with a thriving business environment requires more people living, working, and visiting our Downtown neighborhood. These measures will directly support the delivery of new housing across the affordability spectrum and, through increased population density, Downtown’s small and large businesses, cultural institutions, and local services.
Unanimous passage of these important measures is a testament to the collaboration between the public and private sectors to spur reinvestment in our Downtown core – and the small and large businesses that call it home.
I also acknowledge our Downtown community, including stakeholders, small business owners, and SJDA/PBID Board and Committee members, and the San Jose Chamber of Commerce for their advocacy through letters of support and public comment to the City Council.
The work of city building and Downtown growth is ongoing. SJDA will continue working in collaboration with our colleagues at City Hall and all partners across the community to advance policies and programs that grow a Downtown San Jose for all.
Brian Kurtz, CEO
San Jose Downtown Association
