Pedestrians traversing one of San Jose’s busiest downtown corridors will discover a more inviting area.
City officials and the San Jose Downtown Association unveiled a $795,000 beautification project Monday, where color and vibrancy are taking hold. The makeover includes 17 projects along Santa Clara Street between Market and Fourth streets, with new murals, re-painted building facades, colorful lighting and more.
This project kicks off the city and downtown association’s “Stitching Districts” initiative, which Mayor Matt Mahan said will build civic pride in the city’s core by making it safer, more walkable and exciting for residents and visitors alike.
“Soon, with our entertainment zones, you’ll be able to buy a drink at San Pedro and walk through Little Italy along Sharks Way and make your way over to a game or performance at SAP Center, maybe even on down to Creekside Socials,” Mahan said. “We are creating that more walkable and bikeable environment for people in the downtown.”
A mural depicting multiple soccer stars and a repainting of AK’s Square market are two of the 17 projects along the corridor to revitalize the neighborhood. Photo by B. Sakura Cannestra.
The downtown association and the city both contributed $250,000. Other investments came from local businesses and foundations including Adobe, Urban Catalyst, the Knight Foundation, PG&E, VTA, Jay Paul Company and the Downtown San Jose Improvement District.
Gumby Marques, interim CEO for the downtown association, said these groups also contributed expertise on certain projects, such as PG&E helping to connect the new tree lights.
Marques said improving connectivity between downtown’s various districts will make the city’s center more inviting. The city is preparing to host thousands of visitors in 2026 coming for Super Bowl 60 and the FIFA World Cup, so the association is focused on improving entertainment around the downtown core.
“We want to make sure this is not only seen as something that’s good for San Jose businesses and residents, but we also want to make sure this is for all of Silicon Valley,” Marques told San José Spotlight. “In 2026, we’re going to be attracting a national and international audience, so we want to make sure we’re putting our best foot forward.”
The city has invested in numerous ways to revitalize downtown after office workers left during the pandemic, such as closing San Pedro and Post streets to cars for better walkability. While downtown hasn’t seen the return of 9-to-5 office workers during the day, Marques said nighttime traffic has returned to about 97% of pre-pandemic levels.
Councilmember-elect Anthony Tordillos said improving downtown’s vibrancy will help connect blocks that appear less trafficked and more blighted than others, which has created separation between spaces like San Pedro Square and SoFA.
Pedestrians traversing one of San Jose’s busiest downtown corridors will discover a more inviting area. City officials and the San Jose Downtown Association unveiled a $796,000 beautification project Monday, where color and vibrancy are taking hold. The makeover includes 17 projects along Santa Clara Street between Market and Fourth streets, with new murals, re-painted building facades, colorful lighting and more. Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com. #sanjose #downtownsanjose #publicart #siliconvalley #bayarea
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He’s particularly interested in bringing more public art and lighting to these in-between parts of downtown to improve safety and walkability.
“I heard from folks who say they don’t feel safe downtown, folks who say maybe downtown isn’t being invested in,” Tordillos told San José Spotlight. “That’s why I think this is such a great initiative, because it’s pulling on so many of those concerns.”
Downtown association project manager Lou Jimenez said this is a pilot program to see what’s possible when hyperfocusing on revitalizing one specific area. She connected with local businesses, property owners and artists to strategize ways to improve the area for the community.
While the Santa Clara Street portion of this project has done, Jimenez said the next focus is on Sharks Way, which the city renamed in March to celebrate the San Jose Sharks hockey team. This will improve the connectivity from San Pedro Square to Little Italy and the SAP Center.
Jimenez told San José Spotlight she’s glad for this opportunity to support business leaders in Little Italy especially, as the district has worked to increase its visibility and branding over the past decade.
“This isn’t just about fresh paint or polished sidewalks,” Jimenez said. “It’s about reclaiming space for people, and it’s about art, community, small businesses and reimagining what our downtown can look like when we can come together with purpose.”
Contact B. Sakura Cannestra at [email protected] or @SakuCannestra on X.