San Jose in Transition

Downtown San Jose is at the critical point between "no longer and not yet" as it emerges from the bursting dot-com bubble, and resulting loss of downtown office occupancy, to an expanding residential center with high-rise condo developments dotting the skyline.

During the transition, dining and entertainment businesses experienced revenue decline, both from the economic changes and increasing competition from other areas. Certain special events and promotions created a shift to a younger, more high-risk clientele in the evening and late-night, compelling the police response to maintain order and safety.

Tensions mounted as clubs saw an emerging "unfriendly" atmosphere from some policing tactics while city officials blamed the declining standards and practices of businesses to remain open.

A 10-person delegation of club owners, Downtown Association, Redevelopment Agency and Police Department attended the Responsible Hospitality Institute's Networking Conference in Hollywood, California and participated in a late-night tour of the clubs. They learned from representatives of city council, law enforcement, residents, developers, hospitality business owners and consultants the process used to both extend hours to reduce impacts from a common closing, and use of city ordinances to assure improved safety and security while reducing policing costs. 

Building upon lessons learned from this conference and years of work in the Downtown, in April 2006 the San Jose Downtown Association published a white paper providing in detail the general trends in Downtown and outlined three primary goals:

·         Work towards collaboration to implement best practices

·         Work towards a friendlier and safer downtown with improved regulation and policing

·         Work towards a more successful and vibrant nighttime business community

During his campaign, District 3 Councilmember Sam Liccardo adopted some of the key elements of the Association’s white paper and has followed through on his promises through active engagement in the Downtown Work Group and the Hospitality Zone Assessment.