Declaring War To Become A City

Must a suburb 'declare war' to evolve into a city? San Jose, CA, fights back after losing a fast-growing corporation.

1 minute read

December 17, 2004, 9:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"When WebEx Communications Inc. elected earlier this year to move its headquarters from San Jose to Santa Clara, it did so over the strident objections of San Jose economic development executives. But there was little they could do: San Jose had no available buildings suitable for the growing company.

...Stung by defeat, San Jose is declaring war. City leaders have launched perhaps the most ambitious overhaul ever of San Jose's development policies. The effort encompasses more than 11,500 acres -- more than a third of San Jose's total -- affecting every region of the community. If approved over the next 12 months, when the plans are expected to go to the council, the effort promises to push still largely suburban San Jose into an urban 21st century..."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Thursday, December 16, 2004 in BizJournals

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