In partnership with the San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA), Transform conducted a survey of local businesses on the topics of parking and transportation access. The results make it clear that San Jose business owners are excited about creative street uses and see the value in investing in them as a way to help support their businesses. 

The survey underscores the importance of the priorities of Transform’s work in San Jose. Our SPOT SJ project uses parking tech tools to make more efficient use of existing spaces, creating more vibrant streets, and then in term reducing the cost of housing, increasing transportation options, and reducing car traffic and GHG emissions.

Transform and SJDA collected responses from 52 local businesses, including restaurants, gyms, art galleries, real estate firms, and offices. We were able to glean concerns local business owners had about parking availability and collect input and ideas from owners about the benefits of creatively repurposing street space to entice customers to their businesses. 

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Creative solutions to parking problems

While over half of respondents agreed that the amount of available on-street parking is an obstacle or problem to their business’s success, business owners also had many suggestions for how to tackle the issue. Over 80% of respondents were interested in more maps and data on parking availability downtown, highlighting the need for a resource like Parknav, which is an app that is intended to help guide users to available parking and show heat maps of available parking. In addition, 72% of respondents who indicated they were not aware that the city of San Jose has several managed parking garages expressed interest in promoting the ParkSJ resource.

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Over half of the respondents agreed that parklets or outdoor eating areas, along with public plazas and additional plants and trees, would help their businesses succeed if they were able to use some space currently occupied by on-street parking. One business owner shared, “Our priority should be on making the walking and living experience world class. No one evangelizes the ease of parking, they evangelize the destination.”

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It is clear business owners are key stakeholders in transitioning street parking to other uses that attract more people downtown. Transform and SJDA will continue to work with local business owners to help support their goals and, therefore, the vibrancy of downtown San Jose.

SJDA and Transform are collaborating on additional resources for local businesses to improve the transportation and street access experience for their customers, so stay tuned for future updates on how to implement parklets, landscaping, interactive signage, and community activation events to help San Jose and its local businesses thrive.