The San José Downtown Transportation Plan (DTP) is a 20-year strategic plan for improving transportation to, from, and within Downtown. In addition, the plan identifies four big moves that will help shape the desired future of Downtown. One of them is to reimagine and enhance Santa Clara St. This is a priority project for SPOT SJ.
Santa Clara Street is generally considered to be San José’s “main drag.” It is vital to civic life, and is one of the city’s most important transportation corridors. The sidewalk is generally not a pleasant place to walk, shop, or be with friends. Businesses are struggling. Transit buses get stuck at red lights and in traffic. In the Downtown Plan, the notion of reshaping the street garnered the most community support compared to other “Big Moves” outlined in the plan.
In 2024 the City began a comprehensive and holistic study to show how the street could be a “Grand Boulevard”. With significant updates it can be a signature place that welcomes people who are shopping, going to work, eating at restaurants, or simply enjoying the city on foot. SPUR, one of the SPOT SJ partners, wrote an excellent blog about how we can learn from other cities.