University housing may replace state building in downtown San Jose

SAN JOSE — California officials intend to dispose of the outmoded main state government building in downtown San Jose, a decision that paves the way for badly needed university housing to sprout on the prime site and help revive that part of the city’s urban heart.

A key agency has recommended that the state should relinquish control of downtown San Jose’s Alfred E. Alquist Building, a designation that could allow the site to be handed over to another California entity such as San Jose State University.

State Sen. Jim Beall and Assemblyman Ash Kalra spearheaded efforts to nudge the state of California to designate as surplus property the Alquist Building, at 100 Paseo de San Antonio between Second and Third streets.

“SJSU is eager and open to this opportunity as one possible solution to provide much-needed affordable housing for our campus community and revitalization of the Paseo area in downtown San Jose,” said Mary Papazian, president of San Jose State University.

Built in 1980, the 130,000-square-foot structure is notable for a series of interior courtyards, but the facility is deemed to be costly, inefficient, and unsafe, state officials believe. The three-story building was dedicated in 1983, according to San Jose State.

“Tenants have expressed security concerns, including vandalism and graffiti that continue to be issues at the building after business hours,” according to an assessment by the state’s Department of General Services, which operates the Alquist building.

The property’s real value appears to be its location. The Alquist Building is near the hemmed-in university campus and is adjacent to the Hammer Theatre, which the school operates jointly with the city.

“There is strong local interest in the state vacating the building with the site then being repurposed,” the General Services Department stated in its report, issued May 24. The state agency added, “A development deal may be feasible.”

The university could potentially take over the property, bulldoze the building, and develop a mixed-use project consisting of housing and retail.

“Downtown San Jose is in the midst of a renaissance and San Jose State University is part of that rebirth,” Sen. Beall said. “As SJSU continues to grow and thrive, the university needs adequate facilities to meet the demand. Faculty, staff, and students desperately need affordable housing options in Silicon Valley.”

An array of tech companies and developers have jumped into downtown San Jose in recent years. Relatively low property costs and the prospect of a boom in mass transit linked to the Diridon train station have enticed investors.

Google has proposed a transit-oriented community of office buildings, homes, shops, and restaurants near Diridon Station where 25,000 could work, including 15,000 to 20,000 of the search giant’s employees.

A few blocks away, Adobe seeks a dramatic expansion of its three-building downtown San Jose headquarters campus with construction — due to begin within weeks — of a fourth office tower that could accommodate 4,000 workers.

Local experts seek to connect downtown San Jose’s western section near Diridon Station and the eastern edge where the university is located to the urban center’s main core areas of San Pedro Square, the South First Area, the hotel section, and the theater district.

“Redeveloping the Alquist building has great potential to enhance the connection between SJSU and the downtown esplanade,” Assemblyman Kalra said. “I am excited to work with Sen. Beall in helping SJSU with the process of redeveloping an underused facility that will bring great value to the university and the city of San Jose.”

The departments of Industrial Relations, Public Health, and Rehabilitation are among the state agencies in the Alquist Building.

“The current building is no longer appropriate for state service providers and those offices could better serve constituents, especially those with special needs, in another location,” Sen. Beall said.

The General Services Department suggested that the existing tenants be relocated to leased offices in the area owned by the private sector.

“Consideration should be given to finding space within Santa Clara County to ensure that the constituencies of the tenants won’t be impacted,” the state agency’s report recommended.

Plenty of hurdles must be cleared to transform the fledgling plans into reality. San Jose State University must cobble together a plan to present to the general services department. Plus, a $250,000 budget proposal to help bankroll the planning efforts requires state approval by June 15, according to Sen. Beall’s office.

“We are thrilled to support the efforts of Sen. Beall, Assemblymember Kalra, and San Jose State University to not only add much-needed housing downtown for faculty and staff, but also to revitalize and activate the Paseo,” San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said.

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