SPECIAL REPORT: 2012 BUSINESS WALK
Willow Glen & San Carlos Business Districts Parking, speed of traffic, regulations and public safety issues top list of improvements needed The San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber hosted its inaugural business walk Nov. 7 in partnership with Bridge Bank, PG&E, City of San Jose, VTA, Republic Services, SCORE, San Jose Water Company, Downtown Willow Glen Business Association and Silicon Valley Community Newspapers. The business walk provides the opportunity for business and civic leaders to take the pulse of a local business district and gives local business owners and managers an outlet to voice concerns and successes they are having. Through direct contact relevant information is gathered that can be utilized to better advocate for positive change for the community. Walkers visited Willow Glen businesses on Lincoln Avenue, from Minnesota to San Carlos, and on West San Carlos between Meridian and Bird avenues. Seventy-three chamber members surveyed over 160 business owners or managers. Three questions were asked: • • •
How is business? What do you like about doing business in the area? What should be done to improve business?
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber
How’s Business?
graphic location. Businesses along West San Carlos and northern Lincoln avenues tended to have larger issues with homelessness, graffiti and crime. Businesses in downtown Willow Glen most often expressed concern about parking and traffic safety. Business owners throughout both corridors had issues with licensing and fees, increased taxes, and several mentioned increasing the minimum wage as a threat. Overall, the comments and recommendations on how to improve business along Lincoln and West San Carlos avenue can be grouped into several categories:
Parking •
Condition of business Overall, more than 70% of the businesses surveyed said business was good and improving. Of the remaining 30%, • some indicated that times were tough, and a few said they were barely hanging on. The ratio of positive to negative responses was 5:2, signifying the resilience of many local businesses through a very tough economy. The responses were somewhat dependent on geo-
Business in downtown Willow Glen most often complained of scarce parking. It seems many businesses tussle over who “owns” parking lots and can be territorial about them. Several businesses mentioned that the opening of recent parking structures and lots near Willow Street and Lincoln Avenue has alleviated problems and now they would like to see similar improvements elsewhere along the avenue. >
SPECIAL REPORT: 2012 BUSINESS WALK It’s the location! One comment that rose to the top about the Willow Glen district was its location, which provided: • Loyal customers • Ample foot traffic • Easy access to free-
ways • A diverse community • Established
neighborhood
Face-to-face conversations helped business walkers drill down on key issues.
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Other respondents mentioned limiting Lincoln Avenue to two lanes or making it a one-way thoroughfare and making street parking diagonal to accommodate more cars and slow down traffic. Along north Lincoln and West San
Presenting Sponsor
Bridge Bank CEO Tim Boothe welcomes walkers.
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber
Carlos Avenues, there were issues with parking, but primarily related to enforcement of parking times and meters. Complaints were that time limits weren’t being enforced and time limits hurt business customers.
Graffiti/Vandalism
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businesses said traffic moved too fast, and crosswalks weren’t adequately lighted or marked. They mentioned speed limits should be reduced, so pedestrians and families with children can feel safer. A few businesses mentioned recent break-ins and theft. This was primarily an issue along northern Lincoln and West San Carlos Avenues. However a few businesses mentioned these concerns in downtown Willow Glen.. Many businesses mentioned the need for increased security during early morning and afternoon hours. This was associated with fear of crime and more so with homeless abusing property and harassing customers.
Businesses along West San Carlos Avenue most often complained of vandalism and graffiti. However, there was concern of these encroaching down Lincoln Avenue. • A few respondents mentioned the • city of San Jose being responsive to graffiti complaints, but the majority mentioned that the city typically didn’t respond or didn’t seem to have any strategy to keep graffiti from occurring again as soon as it was removed. • Several businesses along West San Advertising Carlos Avenue mentioned there was • Many businesses mentioned the poor upkeep of the street, along need for greater advertising along with vandalism, and this made them the highway or in other areas to call feel as if there neighborhood was attention to the Willow Glen abandoned. business district. They felt they could attract customers from Crime/Safety beyond the region with greater • A large concern in downtown Wilsignage and advertising. low Glen was traffic safety. Many •
SPECIAL REPORT: 2012 BUSINESS WALK Participating Stakeholders Bridge Bank, Presenting Sponsor Silicon Valley Community Newspapers, Gold Sponsor Downtown Willow Glen Business Association City of San Jose Pacific Gas & Electric Co. Republic Services San Jose Water Company SCORE Valley Transportation Authority Business walkers divided into teams of three and four to conduct the survey.
Respondents along West San Carlos Conclusions Avenue had issues with sign ordiIn summary, the following findings were nances and advertising as well. This the cornerstones of the comments exalso was mentioned as an issue with pressed by the local businesses: attracting customers or letting them know where their business was. • How is Business While these are only an overview of the Generally, business is good, reflecting survey, they highlight concerns of busi- the improved economy of Silicon Valley. •
nesses. Others included streamlining the permitting processes, cracking down on illegal businesses, recruiting diverse businesses and expanding event “activities” north of Willow Street. There were also concerns with rents rising quickly, vacancies increasing and lack of development that would spur economic growth.
• What do you like about doing
business in this area Loyal clientele, close-by local residential community and “downtown feel” were all cited as reasons many of the long term businesses stated for staying in business within Lincoln and San Carlos avenues. Geographic location,
access to freeway and significant foot traffic are strong components to maintain a fiscally healthy business district. • What could be improved Parking and traffic safety are serious issues that need to be dealt with. The reduction of travel lanes on Lincoln Avenue, elimination of parallel parking and more outdoor café areas appear to need further study and analysis. Homelessness and open drug use are a concern. A comprehensive plan to address the needs of the homeless population and to clean up areas impacted by vandals and the homeless extends beyond the downtown area of San Jose. >
Prominently Mentioned Business Issues Parking/Traffic/Pedestrian Safety
Permitting/Govt Fees/Taxes/Timelines
Homeless/Crime
46%
32%
20% The event began with an orientation session for the 73 volunteer business walkers.
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber
SPECIAL REPORT: 2012 BUSINESS WALK Increased costs of doing business by government agencies i.e., increased minimum wage, city taxes and fees, slow response and processing timelines for government services require proactive resolution to maintain a strong business
district in Willow Glen and along San Carlos Avenue. Obviously these issues can’t all be addressed in one day, or easily solved overnight, but they highlight areas
where these business districts could use some help from stakeholders. It is important to note that through our stakeholders support, time, and effort we have already begun working on these issues.
Businesses Contacted During November 7 Business Walk Allied Appliance Co. Arteaga's Market Croatian Franciscan Fathers Kim's Auto Body O'Reilly Auto Parts Unleashed by Petco Red Dot Fitness Degrey & Company Consulting Michael & Company Baby Hugs Citicars Rainbow Cab, Inc. TEC Productions Andro's Rostilj Oz a Salon Coakley Heagerty Marketing Communications diModa Salon Arroyo Plumbing and Drain San Jose Medical Group Santa Cruz Scooter Works Powell's Sweet Shoppe Pizza My Heart Full Color Promotions Adira Dance and Costume Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu Knife Stalkers Mr. T's Liquor Locker CVS/pharmacy Bloom Bridal Boutique Visual Eyes Optometry May's Beauty Salon Willow Glen Home and Garden Best Buy Motors Cash 1 Details Clothing Co. All Natural Day Spa Anne's Flowers & Gifts Peninsula Beauty US Bank Law Office of Richard Arzing Mann's Jewelers Jake's of Willow Glen Sam's Downtown Feed & Pet Supply Yuki Sushi Welder's Heaven Associated Maintenance Magpie Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine BellaJames
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber
Plaza Inn Restaurant Manley's Donuts Falcone Coins & Collectibles Ranch Town Recycling Center Goosetown Lounge City Body Michael's Construction Sunrise Financial & Realty Inc. Party Fiesta Unique Stylez Larry's Foreign & Domestic Car Service Hicklebee's Falcone Plumbing Heating & AC Hanley Law Sew Bedazzled Jen's Cakes Lincoln Avenue Veterinary Clinic Alchemy Hair Solutions & Spas J & K Tax and Accounting Inc. Garden Theatre Barber Shop Ken Auto Repair Electrical Distributors Co. Grace on the Avenue Cali Rims & Tires Big Ben Loan Office Inc. Proactive Healthcare Thrift Box Smog Tech Lincoln Avenue Cleaners A B Auto Body & Repairs Salon NV Susan Kay's Willow Glen Funeral Home Divorce Center Sackett & Herrera, A Professional Law Corp. Bertucelli's La Villa Alameda Upholstering Shop IBISS Keith Roofing Company Inc. Athletic Performance Roselli Foreign Car Repair Inc. Puerto Azul Restaurant UE Group Jorcal Hat Company Violet J Spa Wellness Richard A. Vincent BevMo! MS Services LTD. Underground
Grooming Extraordinaire A & B Auto Sales Noah's Bagels Elaine's of Willow Glen California Bathroom & Kitchen Dad's Moustache Morning Crane Healing Arts Center Starbucks Alta Design and Manufacturing Inc. Kool Kids Plush Skin Care Slakey Brothers Heating Cooling and Plumbing Jake Knows CEFCU Cucina Bambini Ramsell Auto Sales Eurowood Custom Cabinetry R & J Ornamental Iron Works LeBoulanger Jamba Juice Cost Less Fumigation Co. Advantage Reporting Services JDM Packing Mex Auto Glass Willow Glen Collective Nail Spa by Tammy Citibank - Willow Glen Walgreens Co. Petroglyph Pacific Bay Masonry Spartan Auto Body Allied Driving School and Safety Academy Peet's Coffee & Tea Minh's Auto Body & Paint Willow Glen Diamond Company La Condeza Market Top Nosh Footwear etc. John's of Willow Glen Cottage Grove Printing Golden West Collision Center Chase - Willow Glen Opa! Authentic Greek Cuisine Precision Tune Auto Care Your Smog Man Tailor Made Fitness House of Nutrition Willow Glen Creamery