Plus, Bay FC signs a new hot-shot player.
 
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58º | Early rain, afternoon sun | 50% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:10 a.m. | Sunset: 5:33 p.m.
 
🚊 Dysfunction junction, what’s your function?
A BART train at the Berryessa train station.
Connecting BART to downtown San Jose has been a decades-long affair. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
A new risk assessment may increase the costs of BART’s San Jose expansion, yet again.

The six-mile loop, connecting Santa Clara to the Berryessa Station, has faced setbacks over the past decade, as costs continue to rise. With the Federal Transportation Authority (FTA) set to release a new project report this month, Valley Transit Authority (VTA) officials estimate that costs will balloon in excess of $12.2 billion — three times the original cost in 2014.

So what happened? Let’s take a look at what we know.

Ballooning costs

In 2021, federal regulators released a report that was skeptical of VTA’s revised plan, and conducted an independent review to confirm the project’s timeline + cost.

The new federal estimate put the project somewhere closer to $9.1 billion, casting doubt on the ability of VTA to complete the project on time and within budget. The new timeline pushed completion to 2034.

Last October, transit officials released a new estimate: the project would most likely complete in 2036, with an estimated price tag of $12.2 billion, making this one of the most expensive transit projects in the country. This prompted local officials to create an oversight committee to review future plans + finances.

A rendering of BART's phase 2 in downtown San Jose, featuring tunnels beneath the Lacey Bryant mural on San Carlos Street.

VTA’s rendering of Phase 2 of the project to connect downtown San Jose to Santa Clara.

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Photo courtesy VTA

What’s next?

The FTA will be releasing a new risk assessment this year, indicating pain points, project pitfalls, and other potential issues, and will release a new cost estimate. Officials at VTA indicate they expect the cost to exceed $12.2 billion — half of which would be paid through local + state tax measures, with the rest paid by the FTA.

If the cost does increase again, VTA says it will delay when Phase II can break ground, pushing back the 2036 completion date. The project is also missing two key components: a program director + construction director, for which the agency is actively recruiting.

We’ll keep you updated as the project progresses.
 
Asked
 
What do you think of BART’s expansion into downtown San Jose?
A. I’m hopeful it will happen on time.
B. I’m worried it will be delayed again.
C. I’m not sure what to think.
 
 
Events
 
Friday, Feb. 2
  • First Fridays Open Mic Night | Friday, Feb. 2 | 6 p.m. | Strike Brewing Co. & Warehouse Taproom, 2099 S. 10th St., #30, San Jose | Free | Every first Friday of the month, come support local artists while sipping craft beer.
  • Bollywood Night | Friday, Feb. 2 | 8 p.m. | The Ritz, 400 S. First St., San Jose | $17 | Channel your inner Bollywood star as you dance to your favorite tracks.
  • Bad Beginning, August Clover | Friday, Feb. 2 | 8 p.m. | The Art Boutiki, 44 Race St., San Jose | $15-$20 | Rock out with up-and-coming local bands.
Saturday, Feb. 3
  • Black History Month Music Fest | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 6-10 p.m. | School of Arts & Culture, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose | $10-$40 | Celebrate the beginning of Black History Month with jazz, blues, creole, soul, and spoken word performances.
  • Cambrian Symphony Presents: “Lamentation and Joy” | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose | Free | Enjoy symphonies from Tchaikovsky, Gabriela Lena Frank, and Manuel Ponce.
  • James Francies | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 8 p.m. | SJZ Break Room, 310 S. First St., San Jose | $10-$25 | Part of San Jose Jazz’s Winter Concert Series, see this up-and-coming pianist + composer fuse jazz, hip-hop, and R&B.
Sunday, Feb. 4
  • Drag Brunch | Sunday, Feb. 4 | 12 p.m. | SoFA Market, 387 S. First St., San Jose | Free | Drag yourself out for mimosas, brunch, and comedy, featuring local lip-synching drag artists.
  • 2024 AHL Skills Competition | Sunday, Feb. 4 | 6 p.m. | Tech CU Arena, 1500 S. 10th St., San Jose | $42-$95 | See hockey’s top young players and prospects compete in challenges for the AHL All-Star Classic.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Civic
  • As cold, wet weather continues into next week, San Jose has activated overnight warming sites throughout the city, where you can find restrooms, snacks, Wi-Fi + power outlets. You can find a site near you on the city’s website.
Coming Soon
  • More retailers will be setting up shop in Santana Row in the next few months. Furniture store 7th Avenue, footwear + apparel store New Balance, and fitness center Solidcore are all among the shopping center’s slate of new offerings coming in 2024. (The Mercury News)
Sports
  • Asisat Oshoala from Barcelona has joined the ever-growing Bay FC roster. Oshoala is a six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, and has scored 117 goals in 162 games for Barcelona since 2019. You’ll get to see her in action when Bay FC kicks off their inaugural season in March. (The Athletic)
Plan Ahead
  • Musical theater kids, time to show your stuff. Belt out your favorite tunes at the Ritz’ “Broadway Rave” this weekend, with remixes of your favorite showstoppers from classic and contemporary shows. Tickets are still available.
Listen
  • Straight outta San Jose. KQED spoke to J. Darrah about San Jose’s underground hip-hop scene between 1985-2000, and uncovered rare classic gems — many of which are not on Spotify. Check out “You Can’t Swing This” by Lyrical Prophecy, “The BBQ” by The Siggnett Posse, and “Originator” by Homeliss Derilex. (KQED)
Today is
  • Groundhog Day. This morning, Punxsutawney Phil gives his unofficial weather prediction. Remember: Legend says that if the groundhog sees its shadow, six more weeks of winter lie ahead. If not, an early spring is expected. Don’t trust Phil? You can always reference our winter weather outlook, too.
Announced
  • Congratulations to our survey winner, Rachel M., for winning $500! Thank you to everyone who took the time to take our survey. We’re excited to continue providing positive news and events in our free newsletter.
 
Holiday
 
🐉 Ring in the Year of the Dragon
A Lunar New Year celebration with a large crowd of people gathered around costumed lion dancers.
A glimpse at last year’s Lunar New Year festivities at Santana Row. | Photo courtesy of Santana Row
Lunar New Year is upon us, San Jose.

Though its official dates vary across different Asian cultures, the Lunar New Year is a celebration of the start of spring and a new year on the lunisolar calendar.

Let’s see where you can celebrate the Year of the Dragon around the great 408.

🧧 First Fridays: An Evening with Thien An Nguyen | Friday, Feb. 2 | San Jose Museum of Art | Celebrate Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Dragon with a performance by this multidimensional guitarist.

🧧 Lunar New Year Festival | Saturday, Feb. 3-Sunday, Feb. 4 | History Park | “Bridging Generations,” aims to encourage younger generations to take the lead on nurturing new legacies.

🧧 Lunar New Year Opening Reception | Saturday, Feb. 3 | School of Arts & Culture | Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at this annual Lunar New Year art show, with prints, prizes, and exhibitions from local artists.

If you attend any of these celebrations, snap a pic + send it to us and you may be featured in a future newsletter.
 
The Buy
 
A portable phone charger that’s credit card-sized and fits right on the back of your smartphone. Choose your color and store the slim, lightweight device in your pocket or bag.
 
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The Wrap
 
Gregg Aronica.png Today’s edition by:
Gregg
From the editor
Going to big concerts is an expensive ordeal. Shoreline (more specifically, LiveNation) have a new “Lawnie Pass” that gets you general admission into most shows at the venue this summer... for $239 (or ~35 avocado toasts). Just another reason why going to a smaller, local venue is almost always a more fun option.
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