Article about Lincoln and Willow

[Dan Raby]

Willow Glen's Lincoln Avenue slated for three-story office and retail at Willow Street
By Tiffany Carney

Willow Glen Resident

Article Launched: 12/16/2008 06:25:20 PM PST





By the end of 2012, Lincoln Avenue could be home to a three-story building and plaza courtyard, new offices and space for retail. After reconstructing the building at 1140 Lincoln Ave. in 1997 for Jamba Juice, Noah's Bagels and more, property owner Alex Byer of Paja Investments has decided that he wants to do the same to the corner lot at Willow Street.

Plans to demolish the Willow Glen Frozen Yogurt and Ice Cream Co. building, the liquor store and the No Limit Logo Wear building are in the works to make way for a 40,000-square-foot building with office and retail space. Willow Street Pizza will also be included in the project. Byer is set to unveil his plans to the community during a meeting held by Councilman Pierluigi Oliverio on Dec. 17. Byer has not yet formally submitted the plans to the planning department.

The three-story "companion building," as the project is being described, is designed for mixed-use with ground-floor retail, similar to the Jamba Juice building. Three stories will face Lincoln and two stories will face Willow Street.

Byer said the frozen yogurt store, which has occupied the location since 2002, will not close during construction. Owner Jeff Mullen plans to move the store to the first floor of the new building after it is completed. The owners of No Limit Logo Wear have not determined whether they will open in the new building. Owners of the liquor store say they plan to search for a new

and will not be a part of the new addition.

According to Byer, the second and third stories will offer office space for those who would "rather set up shop in Willow Glen than Santana Row or Los Gatos."

"Hopefully we will get some local residents who want to keep their business close by their home, that is the idea," Byer said.

The parking lot will also be reconstructed as part of the project and will include a second-level.

The focal point of the new addition is a courtyard with outdoor seating and fountain on the corner that Byer hopes will serve as a "public gathering spot." Willow Street Pizza will gain a second story.

"We would just be building above them and their existing restaurant would stay exactly as is," Byer said.

Byer, whose firm is based in San Francisco, said he is invested in Willow Glen and hopes to create a project that is a "real source of pride for the community."

Byer hopes to start construction in 2010 and open the new building and courtyard plaza in spring 2012. This isn't the first time Byer proposed plans for that area. Blewett Avenue neighbors formed a coalition to oppose preliminary plans in 2007 involving a two-story parking garage and a four-story building.

Contact Tiffany Carney at [e-mail] or [phone].

[Ray]

Based on the plans I've seen this doesn't look like a suitable building for the area and frankly doesn't fit in. I sincerely hope that the powers that be reconsider this "Santana Row-esque" design in favor of a more architecturally appropriate building for Willow Glen. I've seen enough character homes in my community carelessly demolished in favor of tract style giants. Do we really need to extend that trend to our downtown? Don't most of us live here for the quaintness and character of this community? Finally (and then I'm off my soap box), in the current economic state and the fact that there are several embarrassingly empty spaces throughout downtown already, what are the chances those new office spaces will be rented?

[Michael Mulcahy]

Ray, I responded to this development proposal in another area of WG 2.0 so I won't repeat it here. But I wanted to comment to your post about "embarrassingly empty spaces throughout downtown." There are a few, and unfortunately, it's part of the cycle of real estate ownership, compounded by a challenging market. For every vacancy, landlords have a choice to make. Lease it as quickly as possible to keep the cash flow up, or to make the best decision for the long term by creating the best tenant ecosystem possible. The vacancies I know about are maintained by the latter types of landlords, my family of partners included.

And as for timing of the new space and will it be leasable? If not, we'll have bigger problems than just vacancies. But I am very optimistic about Willow Glen's potential and its future. By 2011-12 when the property comes on line, Mr. Byer should be in a great position to bring new businesses to the Avenue and expand a few of the existing ones, like Willow Street Pizza and Willow Glen Yogurt, and yes, new office users will locate here and become great customers for all our businesses.

[Ray]

Michael, I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my posting. I see your point about the selectiveness landlords have regarding their tenants; however, it does seem that there are a lot of vacancies which could create a false perception that we're not generating enough traffic and revenue to keep merchants in business.

I also read your response on the other portion of the site and (to the point above) certainly understand the need for new investments to help the success of local businesses while providing a good experience for residents. The fact is, I'm just not keen on the design of the new building for WG and that is just my opinion. I wasn't implying that WG was trying to emulate Santana Row. The building just reminds me of something I would see there. I'm sure it will be constructed as planned and I'm confident it will be a success. Depending on what's there, I'll likely support it with my business.

I'm really not one of those people who opposes change, development or just enjoys shaking things up. I have been very supportive of WG projects and the evolution of our downtown. Regardless of my opinion on the building, I wish nothing but the best for this endeavor and am sure it will receive plenty of support.