SJRA Awards $300,000 Contract for SoFA Strategy

SAN JOSE-The San Jose Redevelopment Agency has awarded a $308,000 contract to Field Paoli Architects to draft a development strategy for San Jose’s South of First Area (SoFA).

SoFA is currently a hip area filled with nightclubs, funky shops, cafes and art galleries located south of San Carlos Street that is about to be redeveloped by the city. The area includes about 15 blocks going down to Interstate 20, and goes east from Market Street to 4th Street.

Last week, the city awarded the contract to Field Paoli Architects, allowing the firm to start planning and conduct community meetings that giving property owners, businesses and residents the opportunity to have a say in shaping the area’s future development.

The proposed detail study for the project is a result of the Greater Downtown Strategy for Development: Strategy 2000′s recommendation. The San Jose Redevelopment Agency and the community formed the strategy as a part of a 10-year downtown redevelopment plan, dividing the city into districts.

The plan outlines SoFA as a potential art, technology and entertainment retail area and recommends that the area be utilized in a way that will capitalize on its proximity to the San Jose McEnery Convention Center and the San Jose State University.

The SoFA area has the additional benefit of being near the 25-story San Jose Marriott Hotel that is being built next to the convention center. Suggestions for the area’s development include expanding the arts, developing live-work spaces, adding an events venue and landscaping. Field Paoli plans to hold community meetings next month to help develop its draft plan.