When The Best Public Space Is Privately-owned

Dan Pulcrano argues that the high quality of Santana Row will force the San Jose Redevelopment Agency, which is managing development in Downtown San Jose, to take a more interesting, more vibrant, more pedestrian-friendly approach: " First, downtown will have to get its act together. And it can learn some valuable lessons from Santana Row. For years, the Redevelopment Agency has edited out the most daring architecture in favor of boxy, glassy buildings or formal neoclassical structures in shades of tan. Apartment complexes with monolithic designs were plunked onto entire city blocks. Santana Row, conversely, articulates rooflines and façades, and introduces color and detail and whimsy to create a changing visual landscape that captures pedestrian interest."

Thanks to Nathan Landau