To our members:

Not a spoiler alert, more like a sneak peek, Outgoing CEO Scott Knies in his final State of the Downtown address tomorrow morning will remind us that downtown San Jose’s growth and progress is not guaranteed.  His last speech in an official SJDA capacity is definitely worth hearing.  Come in person starting at 8:15 at Hammer Theatre Center, or catch on livestream. 

One example of our ever-evolving community came to light this past week.  Instead of ice skating, the Circle of Palms will serve as the location for the Aloha Downtown Skates Roller Rink this holiday season, starting Nov. 19.  A chance for couples and families to maintain their holiday tradition to skate among the palms – this time on roller skates.  More on the rink just under the table of contents.

Meanwhile, back to the Annual Meeting Friday morning (tomorrow).  Along with Knies' final speech, meet SJDA's new CEO Alex Stettinski.  This meeting is the place to learn about what the staff and volunteer business members of the Downtown Association do during the course of the year.

Please fill out SJDA's online Board Ballot and Member Survey.

We hope to see you Friday.

• Change of skates from blades to wheels
• Annual transit passes for employees reimbursed by the City
• Groundwerx keeps it clean
• Meetings and Workshops
• Street closures
• Downtown is hiring
• Events
• Downtown and Silicon Valley in the News

The San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA) is changing skates this holiday season.  DOWNTOWN ICE will become ALOHA DOWNTOWN ROLLER RINK in the same location among the Circle of Palms, starting Nov. 19 through Jan. 8.

“When we started Downtown Ice in 1995, the Sharks had just started playing hockey at the new Arena and the popularity of ice skating was really catching on in San Jose,” said Scott Knies, Outgoing CEO of SJDA.  “Like we have done many times before with Music in the Park, America Festival, SoFA Street Fair and now the ice rink — events must constantly be reimagined to stay fresh.”

Produced by ALOHA FUN CENTER in partnership with SJDA and funding from the City of San Jose, the new roller rink will have a holiday theme, but has the potential to come back in the spring or summer as well.  In addition, the site could also return as an ice rink in future years for winter sessions. 

“During the pandemic, roller skating gained popularity as large numbers of people took to the sport as a way to stay active when gyms and recreational facilities were closed down,” said rink producer Liz Ruiz, who also operates the ALOHA FUN CENTER at Eastridge and was a former member of the Silicon Valley Roller Girls roller derby team.

The Aloha Roller Rink website describes the location as 120 S. Market St. between the San Jose Museum of Art and Signia San Jose by Hilton.

Read more of SJDA's press release

Mercury News coverage

Groundwerx Cleaning Crews help keep downtown clean with sidewalk sweeping, anti-graffiti efforts, pressure washing and more. The special equipment used by Groundwerx is designed to be as quiet and environmentally friendly as possible. 

If you see a mess that needs immediate attention, call Groundwerx at 408-287-1520. Groundwerx also has an app that can be downloaded on Apple App Store and Google Play.

Register here

Small businesses can save energy and money through new San Jose Clean Energy Program

Through San Jose Clean Energy’s San Jose Energy Efficient Business Program, in partnership with Franklin Energy, local businesses can receive significant rebates, up to 90% off, for energy-saving upgrades. This includes energy-efficient upgrades to HVAC, refrigeration, and water heating. By signing up for the program, owners can deeply cut costs for their business and help San José meet climate goals.

Businesses can get started in two ways: sign up for a FREE facility audit with an energy advisor to determine the best upgrades for your business or contact a contractor if you already know what upgrades you want to make. Participating contractors are program experts and will help ensure business owners qualify for maximum program rebates. Visit SanJoseCleanEnergy.org/business or call 510-740-9005 to get started. Inquiries are also welcome at SJCEbusiness@franklinenergy.com. The Energy Efficient Business Program is available to any business or school with an active San Jose Clean Energy account.

City of San Jose will reimburse businesses providing transit passes to all their employees

The City of San Jose's Department of Transportation has started a pilot program that provides reimbursement to businesses (not residential or colleges/schools) that enroll in VTA’s SmartPass program. 
 
The City (DOT) will reimburse companies on a first-come-first-served basis, with a total of $100,000 available this fiscal year and another $100,000 next fiscal year.  Large and small companies in any metered district (Downtown, Japantown, East Santa Clara) can qualify.

Businesses must get passes for every employee -- not just some employees -- by signing up on the VTA website.  Once businesses get their passes they will need to go to DOT with proof that they purchased passes for every employee.  

Each downtown pass ranges from $165 for non-profits to $180.  To receive reimbursement for VTA SmartPass enrollment, email DOT at parking@sanjoseca.gov.