Willow Glen Resident

News

Gardner and North Willow Glen benefit from city's SNI program

By Mayra Flores De Marcotte

Store facades in the Gardner and North Willow Glen areas will get facelifts, thanks to the San Jose Redevelopment Agency facade improvement program.

The program will help renovate the appearance of three neighborhood stores--Starbrite Market and Willow Glen Meats on Delmas Avenue and Dawn Market on W. Virginia Street.

"We do these programs in both the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative areas and the neighborhood business districts around the city," San Jose Redevelopment development officer Michael McPherson said.

The program results from the property owners, the community and the redevelopment agency working together.

Starbrite Market began construction June 19 and its improvements will include a new storefront, new doors, ceramic tile lining the bottom of the building and new and refaced signage.

The market's parking lot will be re-striped and a handicapped parking space will be added. The fence between the market and the Willow Glen Meats will be replaced, too.

Willow Glen Meats is the second project on the list. Improvements will include renovations to the roof, a trellis and picnic tables outside.

The redevelopment agency is looking at various options so the project stays within budget. Planners hope to have an agreement in place by early fall so the renovations can go forward.

The Dawn Market is the simplest project of the three and will include new signage, the installation of a new awning, paint and general cleanup. The mural on the side of the building will remain intact.

This project is expected to begin in July and be completed by the end of August.