San Jose Reimagines Street Space on Park(ing) Day
On a sunny September afternoon, the parking spaces in front of Mezcal Restaurant in downtown San Jose became something much bigger than painted lines and asphalt.
Potted plants, tables filled with creative activities and a trivia wheel, and the gentle hum of conversation replaced what was once just a space to store cars. As part of International Park(ing) Day and Transit Month, Transform’s SPOT SJ initiative showed what our streets could look like when people — not parking — come first.
From parking spots to public joy
And the people came. We witnessed firsthand that when we make space for joy, people fill it.
Commuters riding home on the adjacent bike lane stopped to rest and chat. Downtown workers popped by after hours to enjoy snacks and street-side artmaking. Families stayed for hours, creating their dream streets with magnetic “Design Your Block” tiles and coloring books. Even the owner of Mezcal, inspired by how animated and joyful the space had become, added his own plants to expand the parklet footprint.
The owner of Mezcal is now in the process of applying for a full-time parklet permit, a sign of just how contagious the joy of public space for human connection can be.
This is the vision behind SPOT SJ (Smart Parking for Optimal Transportation in San Jose) — Transform’s initiative to unlock underused curb space for housing, mobility, and vibrant neighborhoods. Park(ing) Day was more than just a pop-up. It was a living example of how the public right-of-way can support small businesses, climate action, and family-friendly gathering spaces.
Putting business and community at the center
Throughout the afternoon, local business owners stopped by to learn about SPOT SJ’s newly launched Local Business Toolkit, a resource created in partnership with the San Jose Downtown Association with the goal of helping local businesses attract more customers without relying on more parking. The Downtown Association connected us with Mezcal and helped ensure the toolkit would meet the real needs of small businesses and their customers. That kind of collaborative leadership is essential for building a city that works for everyone.
San Jose has over 1.9 million parking spaces, yet the fear of “not enough parking” still prevents the creation of new homes, protected bike lanes, and community spaces. SPOT SJ is about shifting that narrative to show what is possible when we use street space more efficiently.
Data shows that bike parking and pedestrian improvements bring higher returns to businesses than if the same space is used for parking cars. Replacing one car parking spot with bicycle parking can increase retail revenue more than three times over. These changes are not just good for the planet — they are good for local economies.
A portal to possibility
Our Park(ing) Day pop-up parklet did more than demonstrate policy. It sparked imagination.
Kids played while parents engaged in conversations about housing and transportation. Neighbors connected. Some visitors stayed all afternoon, soaking in the joy of a space designed for people. This is what happens when we reclaim public space. This is the type of transformation SPOT SJ aims to support across San Jose.
Whether it is helping a restaurant rethink its frontage or giving families a new place to play, we are showing what it looks like when streets are for people.
Learn More
- Explore the SPOT SJ Local Business Toolkit
- Learn more about International Park(ing) Day
- Celebrate Transit Month
- Meet our partners at the San Jose Downtown Association
- Check out Mezcal Restaurant
