The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Digging up dirt in the city of Sunnyvale

By Suzi Blackman

It's been a long time since there has been so much new construction in and around Sunnyvale. You can't help but notice all the fenced construction sites and hard hats everywhere. So what's happening?

Lawrence and 101: Toscana Apartment project with 709 apartments already has at least 30 residents, and completed buildings are scheduled to open on a monthly basis. The sales center reports that the number of visitors to the site has been overwhelming. Comments from visitors indicated that the facilities are beautiful with all the amenities. Construction on Lawrence Expressway has contributed to the mess, but the improvements should be worth the wait.

Mathilda and 101: Looks like the new Burger King is almost finished, and across the way, there are preliminary indications that will rise another extended-stay hotel near the Dairy Belle. A new Chevron gas station also is nearing completion.

A new office building will soon occupy space near the Bold Knight, and from the picture, it should be very nice. Apparently, plans call for a signalized entrance and an early 1998 opening. The reconstruction of Lucky's near Maude is also right on schedule.

Macara and Maude has been a hotbed of activity. Not only has there been the massive Highway 237 improvements, but several new office structures are now reaching completion. Let's hope things will be a little quieter in that area of town.

Mathilda Avenue, Lockheed Martin Way, Java, Tasman and all related roadways are now or soon will be in various states of upheaval as the new light rail extension project gets under way. More signs of light rail construction are also evident along Highway 101 by Moffett Field. Incidentally, concerns and questions about what's happening can be forwarded to the Valley Transit Authority Hotline at 408/321-7575.

Murphy Avenue is bursting at the seams with several new restaurants on target. Look for Scruffy Murphy's to open soon. Nick Gera and Tony Bilic are also developing lots for future restaurants that should definitely confirm Murphy Avenue as Sunnyvale's own "Gourmet Alley."

The corner of El Camino and Maria now sports an empty lot slated to be an extended-stay hotel catering to our ever-growing business traveler market, and Michael's just finished a massive redo.

Check out Fry's new location on Arques and Santa Trinita. Wow! This one is really big--more than 100,000 new square feet and hopefully tons of new parking. Score one for the city of Sunnyvale for keeping Sunnyvale home to this mega computer retailer. Opening date is unknown.

Of course, by now just about everybody knows that In-N-Out Burger will be breaking ground soon on Remington and El Camino. Look for an early fall opening.

Add to all of this the reconstruction of the site of the former King George Apartments and several smaller new home developments and it's easy to see that Sunnyvale is in the midst of a building frenzy.

While all this may create delays and even confusion, the improvements and new business development are positive for the community. The businesses of Sunnyvale provide tax revenue, jobs and community support. The health of our business community is a boon to our city's economic vitality. So while you may experience some minor inconveniences due to all this hubbub, you will ultimately benefit from the improvements.

Suzi Blackman is executive director of the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, August 27, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.