Redeveloping Lincoln and Willow

[Ryan]

Willow Glen Extra has the scoop (as usual) on the redevelopment proposal for the corner of Willow and Lincoln. Councilman Oliverio has posted details from the most recent community meeting on the proposal on the District 6 website. The proposal will be submitted to the Planning Commission sometime in January or early February. It calls for a three story structure that will include the current Willow Glen Frozen Yogurt and Willow Street Pizza as well as additional retail, office space, and parking.
I think that the drawings for the proposed redevelopment look great. By moving the parking into the back and creating a welcoming corner there, the plans do a great job of putting a "front door" on Lincoln Avenue. I'm a big fan of continued improvement and renewal. I know that there are some people who will say, "But we like it as it is." My take is that we need to keep Willow Glen moving forward. There are definitely some things that will have to be figured out, but parking at that spot is already a pain, it can only get better. I love the idea of the large outdoor patio area right there on the corner.

I think there is a huge opportunity for a face lift that side of Lincoln. The merchants are in favor it. And by involving the community early, there's already been some good input on what our neighbors would like to see there.

What do you think?

[Lou Alexander]

A nice looking building, but perhaps a bit over-sized for the neighborhood.

[Richard Scharaga]

I would like to see the side on Lincoln have a European outdoor cafe look rapping around from the courtyard. I do agree the top floor is a bit much for the neighborhood.

[Sara Greenwood]

I think that the plans look awesome. With the right mix of retail and entertainment, this could be a very good move for the Avenue. I tend to be a little vigilant at times when I hear about development being introduced into my neighborhood, but it is so badly needed. We need a little economic growth to our beloved strip.

[Michael Mulcahy]

I think this is a great development for the Avenue....the next boost we need that will not only retain WG Yogurt and the stalwart Willow Street Pizza, but will add more office tenants (consumers!) to support the many businesses that already exist on the Avenue - with added parking to accommodate the new uses. My family is 4th generation Willow Glen, and we own a series of properties that mirror this project across Lincoln Avenue (Aqui, Bella James, WG Home & Garden). We appreciate the design and detail Mr. Byer has included in his project and his upfront approach to addressing obvious challenges that come with building a new project in an area with a passionate community.

The Garden Theater is ours, we remodeled it in 2006 and it is taller than Byer’s proposed 3-story project. To suggest that this new project will propel all properties to be of such size is not realistic. You need enough land to provide parking on site, and if you need to build levels for parking or go underground, not only can it be cost prohibitive, you need the land to do it. Most of the properties on Lincoln Avenue will not be able to accommodate this volume of square footage because of this fact - planning policies of San Jose won't allow it and the City doesn't have the resources to provide a community parking garage to offset the policy (such as Los Gatos, Campbell).

Please don't kid yourself. For those that want to maintain WG's uniqueness, help locally owned businesses be successful, and provide great experiences for a loyal residential base, the Avenue must have new investment, diverse retail/restaurant choices, more office workers, and attention to the details of how the Avenue is judged in terms of maintenance and care. Not reacting to a changing consumer market punished Willow Glen once before as Valley Fair and the mall mentality swept California in the 70-80's. Ask a shop owner on Lincoln if they need a well kept street, motivated shoppers from the region AND a loyal local base to succeed? Ask them if they are impacted by the marketing prowess, broad retail/restaurant choices, and beauty of other retail hubs?

It would be great to hear more from those in our community that support responsible, beautiful development. Stand up and say yes to this project. Say yes, because you've gotten involved, seen it for yourself, digested the facts, and looked at the big picture of the necessary assets that will not only make downtown Willow Glen more vibrant and beautiful, but a district that can compete, thrive and continue to provide opportunities for small business and locally owned shops.

There are dozens of current business and property owners who are investing time, money and talent to the current Willow Glen business district renaissance, namely the Willow Glen Business Association Board and the Steering Committee for the WG Community Benefit Improvement District. We are not interested in becoming Santana Row or emulating any other fancy or fad driven shopping center. We like Willow Glen - it's "Personal, Friendly, Different" - and our focus is how it can continue to evolve and become even better. Join the effort by calling Norma Ruiz, Executive Director, at 408-298-2100.

[Kelly Duvall]

I think this is OUTSTANDING for Willow Glen and would be thrilled to see this happen!

Kelly Duvall - Westgate Avenue

[Richard Zappelli]

I think the proposed development is a big improvement. It continues to present Willow Glen in a good image. This developer has a group of very popular retailers that enjoy community support.

[Rick Ehrhart]

The project looks great, but it looks to monolithic. I would like to see individual businesses look different to show a more organic growth pattern.

[Lars]

Onward and upward! Looks like an improvement.

[Matthew Fricke]

I want to continue the push for a better Willow Glen. Currently our strip is struggling with vacancies and property/business owners who forget a little TLC is often times needed for their store front. Property owners - look for those tenants that improve the strip (thanks Michael M. and Mr. Byer). Business owners - take pride in your business ownership, clean and sweep your store front rather than relying on the city of San Jose and / or Property Owners to clean and sweep your store front. Stop the nanny state and take pride in your business and make it clean and enjoyable for families to walk and shop.

This new development appears to be on track and I am thankful for the classy progress that will soon begin on the Willow Glen Strip. It's good for Willow Glen families and businesses to bring a variety of people to our street (more than just resilient community members). Upgrading run down properties and having purpose driven businesses occupy the Strip is a step in the right direction. Business owners on Lincoln Ave - take time to look at your business and ask yourself, "is Lincoln Avenue the right place to open a sewing machine repair shop, a vacuum cleaner store, a coin store, or perhaps adding yet another insurance agent or hair saloon?" Let's find a more accommodating strip mall for these business's and build the store fronts that bring out the residents. Make WG an enjoyable place for families, for singles, for dinning, and for shopping.