Lincoln Avenue just keeps getting better
By Sheila Sanchez
Last month I received an email from Willow Glen Business and Professional Association (WGBPA) President Cara Finn asking for help to decide the kinds of trashcans Lincoln Avenue should get as part of the community's new effort to replace old ones.
She said 50 trashcans would be ordered to replace and add to old receptacles in Willow Glen. I thought Willow Glen residents would be happy with the news, as they really care about keeping their neighborhood clean.
In February, I attended a meeting at the Live Oak Adult Day Services center, where I met many Willow Glen residents, business owners and professionals working hard to make Lincoln Avenue, Willow Glen's main shopping district, even more attractive.
Sponsored by San Jose District 6 City Councilman Ken Yeager, the meeting proved productive and its effects are being felt today. Lincoln Avenue's trash issue, as well as other important issues affecting the community, are being addressed.
Willow Glen residents want to improve their retail neighborhood, revitalize their streets, improve their businesses, address traffic and parking problems, and accomplish urban design, pedestrian safety and archway refurbishing.
It's exciting to see what is happening in Willow Glen.
WGBPA members, together with members of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA), and officials with the San Jose Redevelopment Agency are engaging in constructive dialogue about these issues. Together they have created a strong partnership that will get results.
Their city-funded effort is part of the Lincoln Avenue project, which has an independent consultant working for the city's redevelopment agency.
The project's goal is to provide a vital retail neighborhood along Lincoln Avenue. All involved must be commended for caring about making sure the neighborhood continues to thrive in an area that's already great for shopping, dining and just hanging out.
The project focuses on Lincoln Avenue from Coe to Minnesota avenues, paying close attention to the corner of Coe and Minnesota avenues and Willow Street, where commercial and institutional uses are being implemented. Project organizers are hoping to make the retail and institutional environment stronger, while at the same time remaining sensitive to the surrounding residential areas. They're trying to learn the impact of commercial uses, particularly along the avenue.
Their work is likely to be fruitful. WGBPA's new board of directors is impressive. Members are working hard, handling themselves responsibly, feeling reinvigorated and revitalized. As part of the project, WGBPA will be evaluated. Members should welcome an independent evaluation of their operation, its revenue, budget and how Business Improvement District (BID) money can be spent for events coordinated by the association.
WGNA, under the leadership of John Gibbs, is doing a great job representing the interests of the residential neighborhoods. WGNA members seem committed to making Willow Glen even better.
Experts in main street revitalization, business coordination, promotion, decorations and events are also involved.
Bay Area Economics is conducting a demographic and market study looking at existing trends in the neighborhood, understanding what business demands exist and how businesses are taking advantage of the area. It has also conducted a telephone customer survey.
I hope they pay attention to the retail mix, the types of restaurants that Willow Glen has and maybe recruit an even greater variety.
One thing that makes Willow Glen great is the fact that it's walkable, with attractive sidewalks, trees and shops with nice window displays.
The avenue, however, only enjoys such continuity at two locations, around the corners of Willow Street and Minnesota Avenue. Critics have said places in-between have gaps, with some buildings sitting back from the street more than others, some with landscaping and some without.
Fortunately, traffic engineers are also helping out. They're looking at traffic and parking problems along Lincoln Avenue.
I'm particularly interested in Willow Glen's parking issue. Every time I visit Willow Glen I have a difficult time finding a parking space. Everyone in Willow Glen knows there's a parking problem in the area, not because there's a shortage of parking spaces, but because the spaces are independently managed. So the problem is created when visitors park in certain spots, yet they can't shop somewhere else.
My suggestion is to count all parking spaces available, identify areas with parking difficulties and commit to developing additional parking facilities.
Special attention should also be paid to the relationship between traffic expressways and Lincoln Avenue.
Environmentalists are studying the possibility of enhancing some of the area's natural features, such as Los Gatos Creek, which runs near the avenue.
"Stakeholder" interviews have been conducted and more community workshops will be held.
The end result will be a report based on the assessment of the Willow Glen area.
I can't wait to read it.
Sheila Sanchez is the editor of The Willow Glen Resident. She can be reached at 200.1051 or at ssanchez@svcn.com.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
