San Jose State students are one step closer to having more options for housing.
This week, City Council approved a sale between SJSU and downtown’s Signia by Hilton Hotel to convert its south tower — containing 264 rooms — into student housing.
See what all the buzz is about concerning this sale.
🛎️ A deal’s a deal
Earlier this year, the owners of Signia by Hilton put up the south tower for sale, as San Jose’s wobbly hotel industry posed challenges for the former Fairmont Hotel.
University officials confirmed earlier this month that SJSU had interest in the site, and said that this opportunity would lower the hotel’s vacancy + involve the students with revitalizing downtown.
With more than 28,000 undergraduate students at SJSU, the hotel deal fell in line with the school’s ongoing effort to combat student housing insecurity.
The Campus Village Buildings are the only residences with suites on SJSU’s campus — completed in 2005.
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Photo via Wikimedia Commons
🛏️ Boosting beds + bunks
When SJSU released its report on the Silicon Valley Pain Index in 2022, they found that 11.2% of the university’s students struggle with housing insecurity.
As of this year, San Jose State has been pushing forward with more housing projects around campus:
Campus Village 3 — This $334 million investment will replace the old Washburn Hall dorm with two new buildings, which would accommodate over 1,000 beds. It’s expected to finish in the summer of 2027.
Alfred E. Alquist state office building — Located across from Hammer Theater, this project will reimagine the property into graduate student, faculty, and staff housing, with ~1,000 apartment units. The earliest expected opening date is in 2027.
Since the hotel deal is in its preliminary stages, details about the cost, terms of the lease, or how long it may take were not immediately disclosed.
We will continue to update this story as more information is released.
Events
Friday, Oct. 20
County of Santa Clara Disability Awareness Day | Friday, Oct. 20 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 101 N. Bascom Ave., San Jose | Free | The county’s inaugural event will present panels, local organizations, and a tour of the Vista Center, which promotes accessibility + inclusion.
Celebrating CreaTV’s 15 Years | Friday, Oct. 20 | 6-8 p.m. | Open San José, 38 S. Second St., San Jose | Free | Celebrate the milestone with activities, entertainment, and games at the new media office space.
The Bernal Scream Haunted House | Through Sunday, Oct. 29 | 7-11 p.m. | Sunrize Plaza, 620 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose | $25-$40 | Get spine-chilling thrills at this attraction that’s returning after a seven-year hiatus.
Prism: Dark Crystals Halloween Drag Show | Friday, Oct. 20 | 8 p.m. | 386 Lounge, 386 S. First St., San Jose | $10-$15 | Don’t miss out on drink specials, dancing, a costume contest, and a chance to win bottle service, a gift card, or two free drinks.
Saturday, Oct. 21
28th Campbell Oktoberfest | Saturday, Oct. 21-Sunday, Oct. 22 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Downtown Campbell, East Campbell Ave., Campbell | Free | The 28th annual Oktoberfest features authentic German music, food, drinks, and more.
Día de los Muertos Opening Day | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 6 p.m. | Signia by Hilton San Jose, 170 S. Market St., San Jose | Prices vary | Enjoy exclusive tastings from Dobel Tequila and 400 Conejos Mezcal, and live music.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Austin FC | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 6 p.m. | PayPal Park, 1123 Coleman Ave., San Jose | $32-$199 | Vamos San Jose, our home team is ready to rumble.
Sunday, Oct. 22
Japantown Certified Farmers Market | Sunday, Oct. 22 | 8 a.m. | 357 E. Taylor St., San Jose | Free | Snag fresh produce + mingle with the community before this market closes on Sunday, Oct. 29.
“La Muerte Baila” | Sunday, Oct. 22 | 2 p.m.-3:45 p.m. | Mexican Heritage Theater, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose | $10-$40 | Performed in Spanish, this story follows a recently departed soul who arrives in the land of the dead on the eve of Dia de los Muertos.
Symphony San Jose presents “BACHTOBERFEST!” | Sunday, Oct. 22 | 2:30 p.m.-4:20 p.m. | California Theatre, 345 S. First St., San Jose | $55-$115 | Enjoy the music of J.S. Bach and other composers greatly inspired by the Baroque giant.
Caltrans will be repaving the southbound side of SR-87 between SR-85 and I-280 starting tonight at 9 p.m. Detours will be in effect from southbound US-101 to SR-85, or southbound SR-17 to SR-85. Caltrans says they plan to re-open southbound SR-87 early Monday morning.
Civic
The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming Tuesday, Nov. 7 special election is Monday, Oct. 23. The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters can help you with same-day registration if you miss registering at least 15 days in advance.
State
PG&E is proposing a 22% increase in your energy bill. The utility company says the increase is necessary due to costs of line improvements and inflation. The CA State board who handles utilities is countering that proposal with a 12% increase. Still, ouch. San Jose will make a decision on city-run power in 2026. (NBC Bay Area)
Theater
City Lights announced that the holiday whodunit, “Ken Ludwig’s The Game’s Afoot; Or Holmes for the Holidays,” will take the stage at their SoFA theater Thursday, Nov. 16-Sunday, Dec. 17. Enjoy a fun cross between “Noises Off” and Agatha Christie.
Development
A site near the future San Jose BART station at 28th/Little Portugal is being eyed for a new housing development. Pending city approval, the proposal would add 913 residences near the corner of East Julian and North 28th streets by early 2029. (The Mercury News)
Closing
Pharmacy giant Rite Aid will close 31 stores in California — including locations in Santa Clara, Cupertino, and Santa Cruz — due to a bankruptcy filing. The five remaining Rite Aids in San Jose do not appear to be affected. (Silicon Valley Biz Journal)
Real Estate
Communications Hill is going to get a lot busier. A developer is moving forward with plans to build 799 homes over 140 acres. 505 of those will be apartments, though the developer has not indicated whether they will be affordable or market-rate. The project is still pending final approval from the city. (The Real Deal)
Fun Fact
Did you know that you could receive discounts at local downtown restaurants just by attending a show at the Hammer Theatre? Simply show a proof of purchase 24 hours of your event date + take advantage of 10%-15% off at FAB, Scott’s Seafood, and Loft Bar + Bistro.
Drink
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Shop
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Community
🎃 Oh my gourd, these are spectacular
See the winning pumpkin in our SJtoday 2023 pumpkin carving contest
We’ve got some creative locals. | Graphic by SJtoday staff
You’ve scooped the seeds and made masterpieces out of pumpkins.
Now it’s time for us to reveal the finalists for our Pumpkin Carving Contest. Check out the pumpkins at the button below, and don’t forget to vote for your favorite by Wednesday, Oct. 25.
My hottest take is that it’s never too early to start thinking about the holiday season. As much as I love Halloween, every day brings us closer to the time when we can finally have Christmas in the Park’s Snowman Hot Chocolate again.
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