Why isn't there a place for a major grocery store brand in the downtown of one of the most economically active cities in the country?
Safeway is shutting down its grocery store in downtown San Jose, reports George Avalos.
A company memo said the store would close on June 14, and locate the store's 40 employees in nearby stores. Blame for the store's closing is being pinned on a lack free parking on the store, as efforts by the city to buy a nearby garage failed.
According to Avalos, "a private investment group bought the garage and jettisoned free parking for Safeway patrons in the form of a store validation. That, in turn, undermined the financial stability of the Safeway store, government sources said."
Avalos lists the other grocery options in Downtown San Jose, and the other Safeway stores around the city. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo is quoted throughout the article, including offering insight about the changes occurring in the city.
Read the full story: Why Safeway will close downtown San Jose store
Google Razed 80 Acres in Downtown San Jose. Then… Nothing Happened.
The project was expected to generate about $79 million annually in property taxes.
Has Anyone at USDOT Read Donald Shoup?
USDOT employees, who are required to go back to the office, will receive free parking at the agency’s D.C. offices — flying in the face of a growing research body that calls for pricing parking at its real value.
Parking Lots: A National Treasure?
Did you know? The amount of public subsidies given to free parking far outweighs federal funding for the National Park Service.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority