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This is the 24th Weekly Message to Businesses from San Jose Downtown Association since the end of the COVID-19 "tier" system June 15. They are usually sent on Thursdays.
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To our members:

For the first time since February 2019, members are invited to sit in-person at an SJDA meeting.  We’d love you to join us Dec. 10, 8:15 am at the Hammer Theatre Center, for the Year-in-Review presentation that wraps up 2021 on the big screen.

We’re calling it a “hybrid” meeting because if that’s too early, you can elect to watch the meeting from your home or office on the Hammer’s virtual system or Facebook live. The registration form allows you to make your decision.

COVID protocols will be enforced, since the Hammer Center is a City of San Jose public building.

The meeting also includes presentation of the Jim Fox Golden Nail Award, and fetes board members who have reached the end of their terms. It’s always interesting to hear their perspectives of volunteering for SJDA and downtown. 

What a year! We’ve all been so busy. Here’s a chance to take a breather and gather and reconnect with your fellow downtowners.  It’s also an incentive to get your booster shot!

Make plans now to attend.
In Today's Message
City Updates

Redistricting Commission moves three maps forward to City Council
The Redistricting Commission voted to send three maps to the San Jose City Council that redraw the city’s 10 Council Districts.  This practice occurs every 10 years at local, county and state levels following the release of the Census report.  The three finalists:

  • Commission Map, drawn by a consultant, keeps SJDA’s definition of downtown in one district, including Downtown West. This received unanimous approval by the Redistricting Commission.
  • Community Map, drawn by a group of District 3 residents, keeps SJDA’s definition of downtown in one district, including Downtown West.  This received a vote of 9-2
  • Unity Map, drawn by labor coalition Silicon Valley Rising, divides downtown in two, representing districts 3 and 6. This map received a split vote of 6-5. 

Thanks to the businesses and residents who urged the commission to keep downtown under one district. By the vote counts, your comments were definitely heard.

The City Council is scheduled to consider the three maps on Nov. 30.

Recovery Task Force Meeting again
Downtown arts and businesses are well-represented on the 55-person Recovery Task Force, which met again Nov. 4 and will have another meeting Dec. 9.

SJDA, the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, MACLA, Museum of Art and San Jose Jazz have representatives at the meeting.

The Recovery Task Force is part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-2022 City Roadmap “Build Back Better + Task Force” Initiative.

The Recovery Task Force web page explains: “The scope of the Task Force is to work with the community to think about and plan for the future as it relates to two key areas:  Stabilizing and strengthening families; Supporting small businesses.

More Recovery Task Force reading:

Parking reminder:  Game-night changes at Market-San Pedro Garage
On special event nights at SAP Center, such as Sharks games, “Special rates as posted” take effect.

The result is a $10 flat-rate, pre-paid parking as drivers enter the garage. Because of the pre-pay system, the usual “90 minutes free parking” is not available during special events.  

  • The event rates go into effect approximately 2 hours before event start (give or take a few minutes while the system refreshes).
  • The 90 minutes free and regular rates go back into effect 30 minutes after event start

Please share this information with your customers. More information.
State of California Update

Live performance venues can recoup pandemic-related losses
For theaters, clubs and other live performance venues with pandemic-related financial losses there is now help from the State of California.

Venues physically located in California and in operation since June 1, 2019 can apply from the California Venues Grant Program here. The maximum value of a grant is $250,000. The deadline for applications is this Friday, Nov. 19.

Eligible applicants need to complete a new and separate online application even if they submitted an application for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program offered earlier this year. All relevant tax and other documents will need to be submitted with the application.

Please note: if a business received a California Relief Grant, that amount will be subtracted from the award from this new program.

Application guides in a wide variety of languages are available and details how to apply, the eligibility requirements and necessary documentation. Please note that Lendistry is the only organization responsible for managing the California Venues Grant Program. 
COVID and Vaccinations Update

Help Prevent a Possible COVID-19 Winter Surge 
With the rain and cold weather, COVID cases are on the rise, and health officials are worried that hospitals will reach their maximums with patients, it was announced this week.

State public health officials urge residents to get vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible to prevent a possible winter surge in COVID-19 cases. In certain parts of the state, COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are beginning to go up, signaling the need for Californians to get their booster shots and for the 5-11 age group to get vaccinated. Last year, daily cases quickly rose from less than 3,000 in October to more than 58,000 in December.

In addition to vaccination, the California Department of Public Health offers these tips to protect yourself and others this holiday season:
  • Stay home if you’re sick
  • Get tested before and after traveling or gathering for the holidays
  • If some of your group is unvaccinated, take precautions
  • Wear a mask
  • Gather outside or increase airflow in indoor spaces
Santa Clara County Update

Everyone in Santa Clara County can now get a COVID vaccine booster

The County encourages all residents to get a COVID booster shot, preferably before Thanksgiving, according to a recent announcement.

The booster is appropriate for almost everyone ages 18 and older 6 months following the last Pfizer or Moderna vaccination, or 2 months following the Johnson & Johnson vaccination.

Protecting families, schools, workplaces, and ourselves becomes even more important with the Thanksgiving holiday quickly approaching and so many people traveling and gathering with family and friends. While community case rates in the County are currently flat, rates elsewhere in the state are steadily increasing and the initial vaccine protection is proving to decrease over time. More information.

View community forum on Vaccines for 5-11 Years Old
A virtual community forum was held Wednesday where the community asked Dr. Solorio-Cortez questions directly about the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 years old, and booster shots. The conversation can still be viewed on Facebook: @sccpublichealth and on YouTube: SCCPublicHealth. 
SJDA Updates

Letter supports Homekey application, contingent on proper outreach
This week, SJDA sent a letter to Mayor Liccardo and City Council members supporting the City’s Project Homekey application for the Pacific Motor Inn, 455 Second St., in the SoFA District, with contingencies.

SJDA wants the City of San Jose to conduct proper outreach with SoFA and downtown stakeholders before filing its application.

As reported in the November edition of SJDA’s newsletter, Downtown Dimension, the City Council on Oct. 5 authorized the city to apply for a Project Homekey grant that would be used to purchase four San Jose hotels including Pacific Motor Inn for permanent homeless housing. But their was no outreach to the downtown community prior to the Council taking its vote.

The SJDA letter urges the City to defer the SoFA site from Project Homekey consideration until it can be better vetted, which would delay the City’s plan to submit its application on Dec. 1. SJDA’s position is that the State will offer future grants under Project Homekey and that or another SoFA site could be included in a later round of applications.
SJDA Virtual Job Board

SJDA continues to help get the message out about your job openings. Complete this form with your business information and open positions and SJDA will post the opportunities weekly on sjdowntown.com/downtown-jobs/, publicizing the message to our 42K+ social media followers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Also, please email jvuong@sjdowntown.com or rjensen@sjdowntown.com if you are fully staffed and need your posting deleted.
Events

Downtown Ice in San Jose Opening SATURDAY, through Jan. 9

Kristi Yamaguchi's Downtown Ice in San Jose presented by First Tech Federal Credit Union and Alaska Airlines returns this holiday season! Skate under the twinkling lights in the Circle of Palms at Downtown Ice.  Opening day has been pushed back from Friday to Saturday to get the deck finished, make ice, and pass final inspection. 

The Opening Celebration remains scheduled for Monday at 5:30 pm.

Downtown Farmers’ Market is full of fun
The weekly San Jose Downtown Farmers’ Market is back Friday at 10 a.m. on South First Street between San Salvador and William streets in SoFA District. Stop by to shop for all your Thanksgiving ingredients! If you need recipe ideas, check out PCFMA's blog.

Shop this Friday at your favorite artisans: Michelle’s Creations, Designs by Maureen, Harji Naturals, CaliLily Candle Company , Malaya Botanicals,  Beyond CBD and  9 Lunas Accessories!

Also joining us this week:  SCC Registrar of Voters , African American Community Service Agency, San Jose Conservation Corps & Charter School and our fabulous sponsor, EXCITE Credit Union!

Please note that the Farmers' Market will be closed next Friday, Nov. 26 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. We'll be back on Dec. 3! 

Come enter November’s drawing for a very special Holiday Starter Prize Pack! This holiday kick-off kit will include:

Just stop by the SJDA info booth to enter. The winner will be announced on Dec. 1. 

Turkey Trot and Santa Run will be virtual this year
For the second consecutive year, the 2021 Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot and the 2021 Santa Run Silicon Valley will run virtually.

Proceeds from the Turkey Trot go to aid vulnerable communities in Silicon Valley.  The Santa Run benefits Christmas in the Park and Downtown Ice holiday events, plus Reading Partners. 

The theme is to run separately, yet together.  The Turkey Trot is 5- or 10-kilometers to be run between Nov. 25-28 and the Santa Run is a 5K run between Dec. 19-25.  All Santa Run participants will receive a holiday-themed race shirt, Christmas ornament medal, and Santa beard race wrap (for the first 1,000 registrants). Design your own course and complete your run in the race shirt or dressed as your favorite holiday character, and share your results and photos with other runners.  Register.
Downtown San Jose and Silicon Valley in the News
Recent media reports involving Downtown San Jose/Silicon Valley. Subscriptions may be necessary to see the article:
COVID-19 Links
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