WGNA Approves Position Paper on Google, October 2018
At the Board and Membership Meeting of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) on October 11, 2018, the board members issued a position paper to Mayor Sam Liccardo, and the City of San José's Planning Department, supporting the Google Campus proposal & Diridon Station Area Plan.
The paper relates to the project on the Diridon Station Area Plan and Google, the Silicon Valley technology company that intends to develop a major transit-oriented campus in the core of the city, expanding the present-day downtown San José. This potential mixed-use master plan development includes offices, residences, retail shops, restaurants, and open spaces, and it's estimated that Google will employ 15,000 to 20,000 people.
On September 13, 2018, the representatives from Google visited with the City of San José in the Willow Glen neighborhood to tell us more about its plans, and how that fits in with the City of San José's Diridon Station Area projects. See that news story here.
The WGNA position paper was endorsed by the WGNA Board and reads in part:
The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) would like to offer our support and endorsement for the Google Village project in the Diridon Station area in San Jose. As you may know, WGNA – the oldest neighborhood association in San Jose celebrated 45th anniversary in 2018 -- was established for the sole purpose of creating a stronger and more tightly-knit neighborhood. Our Board of Directors is comprised of established professionals with expertise in various fields, including, but not limited to, public safety, education, land development, small business and many more, with the ultimate goal to keep residents informed on a range of topics pertinent to the life in Willow Glen and to act as an agent of positive change by getting involved in advocacy activities on behalf of our members.
WGNA Recognized by State Senator Beall
re. National Night Out 2018
During the last National Night Out hosted in Willow Glen on Tuesday 07 August 2018, California State Senator Jim Beall issued a Certificate of Recognition to Willow Glen Neighborhood Association. The certificate from the Senator recognized the association "For efforts in unifying the community and standing up to crime, it is your dedication and commitment to the public that is making our community a safe place."
National Night Out was organized by The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association with the year's host, the Willow Glen Creamery, at the Willow Glen Town Square on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Willow Street.
National Night Out is a national program (trademarked) by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). It occurs annually on the first Tuesday of August. NATW describes the event as "an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live."
In agreement with National Night out themes, WGNA regularly addresses issues related to public health and safety (police, fire, emergency response, coverage areas, public welfare, etc.). We frequently invite guest speakers from the San Jose Police Department (SPJPD) on the topic of a neighborhood watch and other anti-crime efforts.
This last November 8th, 2018, we joined with County Supervisor Dave Cortese and the SJPD, plus South Bay Clean Creeks Coalition to address issues in the neighborhood. The meeting was sponsored by WGNA, with joint participation by North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association and Gardner Neighborhood Association. (See the separate post).
WGNA Presents a Certificate of Recognition
to Dave Mitchell, Park Planner/Project Manager, San José PRNS
Summary from the previous
WGNA Meetings & Events
Thursday 08 November 2018,
re. Public Safety with the SJPD;
projects with South Bay Clean Creeks Coalition;
& an address by County Supervisor Dave Cortese
The November meeting and presentations were made by the San Jose Police Department' Crime Prevention Unit and included Steve Holmes from South Bay Clean Creeks Coalition on area projects close to the Gardner neighborhood and greater Willow Glen. Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese also made an address on area crime, homelessness, affordable housing, and living wages.
A community discussion and workshop on crime prevention addressed questions and concerns relating to...
— How to improve your safety at home and in the community;
— Learning about recognizing and reporting suspicious activity, personal safety, burglary, and theft prevention;
We organized this meeting because many people have been expressing their worries about a number of law enforcement issues including the following: robbery prevention; suspicious loitering; trespassing; neighborhood watch; home invasions; carjackings; bicycle theft; illegal waste dumping; narcotics; prostitution; controlled substances; judicial process; area surveillance; patrolling; and more.
LOCATION: Gardner Academy (elementary school) at 502 Illinois Ave, San Jose, CA 95125. (Alternate site, not our usual venue).
Thursday 11 October 2018,
re. Meet San José Mayor Sam Liccardo
Mayor Sam Liccardo made his address with open house participation and questions by public.
The event was hosted at Willow Glen United Methodist Church on Minnesota and Newport Avenues.
See Mayor Liccardo's web page at http://www.sanjoseca.gov/mayor
Thursday 13 September 2018,
re. Google Campus prosal & Diridon Station Area Plan
A Guest Speaker Presentation by the City of San José
The guest speaker at our last meeting on September 13th was the City of San José presenting on the topic of the Diridon Station Area Plan and Google, the Silicon Valley technology company that intends to develop a major transit-oriented campus in the core of the city, expanding the present-day downtown San José. This potential mixed-use master plan development includes offices, residences, retail shops, restaurants and open spaces, and it's estimated that Google will employ 15,000 to 20,000 people. The company visited with the City of San José in the Willow Glen neighborhood to tell us more about its plans, and how that fits in with the City of San José's Diridon Station Area projects.
Kim Walesh, Deputy City Manager, Director of Economic Development presented on behalf of City of San Jose, and provided:
- Background information on the Diridon Station Area, including the main plans that are guiding its development, the planned transit improvements, and the partnership with Google;
- An overview of the City’s community engagement process this year;
- A brief summary of the main input received to date.
On behalf of Google, managers of the company's department of Government Affairs & Public Policy joined the city's presentation. Javier González and were available to answer questions.
READ MORE (see our original news entry) here.
Thursday 12 July 2018,
re. Bramhall-Willow Street Park
The last board meeting was on Thursday, July 12, 2018, and included Willow Glen Planning Area updates on a number of items, and including Bramhall-Willow Street Park.
This July 2018, we reviewes the issues from the last two years, gave updates on the progress, and engaged feedback on current and future needs in Bramhall-Wilow Street Park. Two years ago, in WGNA's July 28, 2016 Board Meeting, issues relating to the park were presented by Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village (SGV), then with a follow-up walk-through of the park happening that August. By November 2016, Dave Mitchell from San Jose's Department of Parks, Recreation, & Neighborhood Services (PRNS) visited WGNA's Board Meeting for a response and presentation.
— See more about the July meeting at our News page.
— See the recent July 2018 presentation on Bramhall Park here at the Stakeholders SGV website.
CANDIDATES FORUM — ELECTION 2018
NATIONAL SAFE ROUTES “WALK TO SCHOOL DAY”
on OCTOBER 10, 2018 IN WILLOW GLEN
Seasonally, every year, Walk to School Day returns in the autumn, and Bike to School Day in the spring.
This national event is organized locally by Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village in partnership with the National Center for Safe Routes to School. Willow Glen Neighborhood Association - WGNA is a regular co-sponsor
WHO: PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS for the Willow Glen event include:
Willow Glen Elementary; River Glen School K-8; Ernesto Galarza Elementary; Hammer Montessori Elementary; Gardner Academy; and Washington Elementary.
WHEN & WHERE:
On Thursday 10 October 2018, students, parents, and teachers will meet together at the Bank of America Parking Lot on Lincoln Avenue. In celebrating "Walk to School Day", we all came together for a morning reception and then go to our respective schools.
Team mascots will appear, including "Q" of San Jose Earthquakes, and others to be confirmed. Area students and families are invited to participate, along with other area dignitaries. We will have snacks and giveaways.
Letter to the City & Decision at City Hall —
WGNA Request to SJ City Council Districts 3 & 6
re. Safe Crossings on Bird Avenue
TO: Councilmember Raul Peralez (D3) & Dev Heinert Davis (D6)
SUBJECT: Improve Public Safety for primary school children attending Gardner Academy School on Illinois Avenue at Auzerais Avenue. Two major intersections along a California State Roadway — Bird Avenue — are unsafe crossings. First, there is Auzerais at Bird Avenue; and secondly, Virginia Street at Bird Avenue.
ACTION REQUESTED:
California State Senator Jim Beall, Jr. is requesting that the City of San Jose, Department of Transportation (DOT), conduct a traffic study of these two intersections. Once the studies are completed, the state of California will take on the necessary improvements to make these intersections safe for primary school children to cross. The timing of these two studies is very important.
Please get back to me within the next twelve working days with a resolution. That is, confirm a date and time when these two studies will be scheduled and expected to be completed. We would appreciate a copy of any correspondence sent to the San Jose DOT team, and their responses.
The Bird Avenue roadway has become increasingly busy, and with all the recent developments beginning at the north of the intersections, West San Carlos Street at Bird Avenue/ Montgomery Streets traffic will increase dramatically. The intersection of Auzerais Street, Bird Avenue and Interstate 280 (i.e., the on and off ramps) is already very dangerous.
See a JPEG version of WGNA's letter to the city here.
NOTICE: This item was be decided at the Rules and Open Government Committee in San Jose City Hall,
on the Agenda for 2/14/2018' item ROGC 18-094;
title "Autumn, Montgomery and Bird Corridor Study" (Peralez/Davis);
Joint Meeting for the Rules and Open Government Committee and Committee of the Whole;
1. Memorandum, 2. Letter from the Public
Welcome to WGNA online! — An introduction to the website
We've made it even easier for you to follow along with all of the latest events and happenings here in the Willow Glen area of San José, California.
If you're joining us for the first time, welcome! The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association was established in 1973. The organization has kept residents informed on a range of issues from traffic to neighborhood safety, all for the sole purpose of creating a stronger and more tightly-knit neighborhood for people of all ages to enjoy.
This website includes great resources for both residents and occasional visitors. Learn about the history of the area, see what types of businesses and other projects are in development, hear about events where you can meet fellow neighbors and get engaged on critical issues, and become a member to lend your voice to the neighborhood and contribute to the future of Willow Glen.
We organize special community events throughout the year, as well as monthly meetings that often feature guest speakers from around the city. We also work closely with other neighborhood organizations in the area that share our core values. There are numerous ways for you to get involved, and we'd love for you to join us.
Thanks for stopping by, and if there's anything else you'd like to see, don't hesitate to contact us!
