Today’s Forecast

57º | Mostly sunny | 5% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:22 a.m. | Sunset: 5:06 p.m.

Now approaching: Eastridge Transit Center

Santa Clara VTA secures $46 million for East San Jose light rail expansion

A VTA train rides through a line of trees in Downtown San Jose.

*Beep beep* A new station is coming soon. | Photo via @bennys_journey

This week, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) received a $46 million grant from California’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program to fund VTA’s light rail service extension to the Eastridge Transit Center.

Now that the grant has been secured, funding is complete for the project — which had a $530 million price tag + has been in the works for nearly two decades.

🛤️ The (rail)road to development

In November 2000, Santa Clara County voters approved Measure A — a half-cent sales tax dedicated to select public transit improvement projects over the course of 30 years, starting April 1, 2006. A majority of the light rail’s early funding was acquired through Measure A, amounting to ~$313.4 million.

Since the initial funding, VTA has worked on improving the area’s safety measures for pedestrians, reconstructing the Eastridge Transit Center, and selecting local artists to shape the designs for the future stations.

The VTA map showing all the transit lines from The Alameda to East Side San Jose. — The project will extend the light rail’s Orange Line to Eastridge’s transit center.
|
Screenshot via VTA’s website

🚈 What we can expect

Not only will the new extension connect Alum Rock Light Rail Station to the Eastridge Transit Center, but it’ll also add a stop at Story Road.

VTA expects to break ground in spring of 2024, welcome riders by 2029, and see daily ridership reach 4,500 passengers by 2043.

Once completed, the goal is for seamless transfer — VTA riders will be able to use the Eastridge Transit Center to connect directly with BART at the Milpitas station.

“This project is about more than connecting transit—it connects people,” said Mayor Matt Mahan in VTA’s press release. “It bridges regional divides, enhances opportunity for transit-dependent residents and fulfills a promise to East Side neighbors two decades in the making.”

Stay updated with this project’s progress on the VTA’s website.

Asked

What other transit projects would you like the city to focus on?

We want to hear your thoughts

Events

Wednesday, April 26

Grand Horizons | Wednesday, Apr. 26-Friday, Apr. 28 | Times vary | The Stage, 490 S. First St., San Jose | $19-$31 | This 1920s whodunit has everything you never wanted in a show — an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything.
Morgan Jay | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | 8 p.m. | San Jose Improv, 62 S. Second St., San Jose | $20 | With over eight years of stand up experience and an extensive background in music, this comedian blends comedy with his smooth melodies derived from classic R&B and Bossanova.
Tosca | Wednesday, Apr. 26-Friday, Apr. 28 | California Theatre, 345 S. First St., San Jose | $55-$195 | Follow the tragic story of an opera singer and her artist lover, whose passionate involvement with a political prisoner has made them targets of the chief of the secret police.

Thursday, April 27

Paint & Prosecco: Abstract Floral Watercolor Workshop | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 5:30 p.m. | 350 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell | $125 | Learn basic color palette theories, brush usage, and composition basics while sipping on champagne.
Eastside Magazine Fundraiser | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 6-8:30 p.m. | School of Arts & Culture, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose | Free | Connect with the local storytellers, featured artists, and the EASTSIDE Magazine team who work together to amplify East San Jose’s rich cultural legacy.
Knuckle Puck & Real Friends | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 6:30 p.m. | The Ritz, 400 S. First St., San Jose | Free | Dance the night away to some punk pop tunes from these two Illinois-based bands.
Kane Brown - Drunk or Dreaming Tour | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 7 p.m. | SAP Center, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose | $56-$996 | Don’t miss the country superstar as he makes his way through San Jose.

Friday, April 28

Vintage Market by Pop-Up SJ | Friday, Apr. 28 | 4-9 p.m. | Garden at the Flea, 1590 Berryessa Rd., San Jose | Free | Shop thrift apparel, shoes, dresses, sports gear, and collectibles from a wide range of vintage sellers and creative artists.
Free Art Expo Featuring: Anime, Star Wars, Disney, Marvel + Harry Potter | Friday, Apr. 28 | 5-9 p.m. | Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy., Santa Clara | Free | Jedis, princesses, princes, superheroes, and wizards of all ages are welcome to attend this anime and game convention.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Travel

Experience a place where vacations shine brighter

A family playfully jumps onto a fluffy bed in a luxury hotel room.

A world of wonder awaits. | Photo by Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel

Make sure you have more than sunny days to look forward to with an early summer getaway. Dare we say, a majestic one?

If you’ve been dreaming of exceptional accommodations and magical memories for the whole family, then we have good news: With Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel, it’s all in reach. The Wish Upon a Stay package (starting at $169 per night) includes a free Dream Machine shuttle to and from Disneyland® Resort, a free keepsake, free parking, dining discounts, and so much more.*

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News Notes

Development

Google has halted construction of its 80-acre Downtown West campus — and there are no signs that it’ll resume. Following layoffs, rising interest rates, and concerns of a recession, the tech giant was forced to reassess the timeline for the project early February and cut costs. (CNBC/The Mercury News)

Kids

Keep an eye on the young ones. Great America has implemented a new policy that requires visitors ages 15 and under to be accompanied by a chaperone who’s at least 21 years old. This rule only applies to young guests who enter or remain in the park from 4 p.m. to closing. (KTVU Fox 2)

Health

Santa Clara County has launched its “Vaccines are another part of growing up” campaign which encourages parents + caregivers to get their children vaccinated. The county is planning to train local school staff about vaccine hesitancy among parents, and will host several informational community events through June. (San Jose Inside)

Eat

San Jose’s LeYou Ethiopian restaurant and Jubba Somali restaurant both made San Francisco Chronicle’s recent roundup of the “25 Best Bay Area restaurants.” See what the publication’s critics Soleil Ho and Cesar Hernandez had to say about these South Bay eateries. (San Francisco Chronicle)

Sports

The San Jose Giants will host two Independence Day celebratory games at home on Monday, July 3, and on the road on Tuesday, July 4. See the team’s largest firework shows of the year at both games, and indulge in a BBQ buffet from Turkey Mike’s — tickets start at $20 and are on sale now.

Feel Good

Here’s something to fawn over. On Earth Day this past weekend, firefighters in Alviso helped take care of a sick baby deer that was dropped off at Station 25 — feeding it + sending it on its way to animal control. Take a look at the adorable photos. (CBS Bay Area)

Announced

Congratulations Nora R., the winner of our product survey! We hope you enjoy your $500 cash prize, and we thank you for providing your feedback. Responses from this survey are helping us improve our newsletter.

Wellness

This metabolism supplement is endorsed by Halle Berry and backed by science

Metabolic Daily is formulated with Akkermansia muciniphila (only available at Pendulum) and other next generation strains. | Photo by Sean Dagen

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Alyson

From the editor

Now that the sun is out, I want to go on walks with my... nonexistent dog. I’m thinking of convincing my partner to take a trip to the San Jose Animal Care Center... hopefully there’s good news to come after that visit.

Missed the last newsletter? We filled you in on the city’s plans to reimagine Plaza de Cesar Chavez.

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