2014 BUSINESS WALK: The Alameda/San Jose & Santa Clara
Historic Commercial Corridor Street construction, parking, safety and security are top concerns Retail, condos and apartments, professional services and motels line that stretch of The Alameda that connects the cities of a Jose and Santa Clara between Julian Street and Santa Clara University.
OVERALL POSITIVE OUTLOOK As on a few other recent business walks, those surveyed responded overwhelmingly (82.8%) that business was “good or improving.” A minority (12.5%) felt that they asked the three simple questions of conditions were maintaining and only a fraction (4.7%) felt that economic factors the business walk: were worsening. • How is business?
Seventy-five businesses were contacted as part of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber’s fifth business walk, which occurred July 22, 2014, in partnership • with the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce. The business walk series is • part of the chamber’s Regional Economic Development Initiative. Previous business walks have been held in the Willow Glen, South First, North First and Blossom Hill/Almaden districts.
What do you like about doing business here? What can be done to improve business in the area?
HOW’S BUSINESS?
Correlating to the immense positive findings about business conditions were such comments that the neighborhood had a good atmosphere, was attractive to students and families, which helps develop repeat customers and importantly—is growing.
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED Forty volunteers joined the business walk, which was presented by Bridge Bank. The Alameda is an area of neighborhood and visitor foot traffic that patronizes the first-floor retail shops, and as a connector between two cities and two universities, is heavily traversed by autos. Part of the retail corridor recently underwent streetscape improvements with the installation of a median and turn lanes by the city of San Jose. And it’s issues about traffic, recent construction activity along the corridor and parking that volunteers discovered when San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber
Volunteers got an earful when they asked what improvements were needed in the district.
Good/Improving (82.8%) Same/Maintaining (12.5%) Poor/Getting Worse (4.7%)
Since The Alameda is an historic thoroughfare, issues surrounding traffic and the movement of commerce are paramount and greatly impact the customer experience and business prosperity. Businesses surveyed were dismayed there was not better coordination and communication regarding the recent median improvements made along The Alameda.
2014 BUSINESS WALK: The Alameda/San Jose & Santa Clara Presenting Sponsor
Many businesses surveyed are finding that their patronage was seriously affected by actual construction activity in the roadway. But more worrisome, they said that customers are now bypassing their businesses because median restrictions prevent them from turning left.
OTHER ISSUES
Participating Sponsors
The survey found issues typical to other business walks that directly impact both business operations and clients. These are: PARKING & STREETS: More spaces for clients both on The Alameda and off the street are needed; additional bicycle lanes are needed; trees need trimming. SAFETY & SECURITY: Homeless people are creating safety issues, and there is street-level criminal activity present at some locations. Since The Alameda is so family-friendly, addressing these issues should be a priority.
SAVE THE DATE Next Business Walk Tuesday, March 10, 2015 Register online at sjchamber.com
MARKETING & SIGNAGE: While events at SAP Center attract a lot of foot traffic, the business corridor could use some community events of its own to draw crowds to the area and attention to its businesses. In addition, better signage is needed to market the area.
Ambassador Jeff Nott and SC CoC’s Steve Van Dorn.
FOLLOW-UP As part of its economic development work of business retention and expansion, the SJSV Chamber is working with business walk stakeholders to address the concerns of the businesses visited.
Wrap-up session helped tally the survey results.
Businesses Contacted During July 22 Business Walk Shell Complete Auto Service Christine Robinson AAI Health Services Café Rosalena Strictly Styles Rex Cleaners Alameda Gardens Rehon & Roberts Sherwin-Williams San Jose Patients Group La Dolce Velo South Valley Cardiovascular Race Street Tax Service Crest Optometry Hannah Coffee & Tea The Watergarden CVS Pharmacy Arena Hotel
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber
Matteoni, O'Laughlin, & Hechman Black & Brown Wheel Works Motel 6 Nooshi for Hair Uhaul J. Lohr Winery United Music Garden Preparatory School Flamingo Motor Lodge Park Avenue Preschool Recycled Book Store Bay Area News Group Sushi Infinity FedEx Crema Coffee Carlile Glass Gallery Starbucks
Verizon Peets Coffee & Tea Rosie’s New York Pizza Fontanetti's Japanese Restaurant & Lounge O'Reilly Auto Parts Westminster Presbyterian Church Mexico Lindo Las Palmas Authentic Mexican Cahill Cleaners A-A Locksmith Money Market Financial Billy DeFrank LGBT Center The Fuller Law Firm Tattooing Current Bedolla Salon Education Encounters The Alameda Motel
Neo's Nail Spa Chipotle Nicholas C. Long, DDS Biggs Cardosa Associates Villa II Bay Area Event Photography Alterations Elegant Events H&R Block Braid it Up The Postal Portal Zavala & Associates Rai Styles Subway Char's Hair Design Accendo Real Estate Tri-EZ Foods