Google, San Jose unveil new agreement to include community investments

(Google)

By Janet Garcia

(SAN JOSE, Calif.) On Tuesday, Google and the City of San Jose announced a new $200 million investment as part of the Downtown West development project in the Diridon Station area.

According to a press release, the community benefits package is covered in the recently published Development Agreement that focuses on fortifying the local economy through training, education, jobs, as well as minimizing displacement.

The investment also commits to additional housing, open space, and recreation as part of the Downtown West project, which proposes 4,000 new homes, 15 acres of open space and more small business opportunities for the city.

"In contrast to some large employers' attempts to extract every form of public subsidy and tax relief from local communities, Google has chosen the more enlightened path, making bold commitments to build affordable housing, invest in educational opportunity, and create pathways to better jobs for local residents," said Mayor Sam Liccardo, in a statement. "Together, San Jose and Google will establish the national standard for equitable, post-pandemic economic recovery.

The Downtown West project has been revised to include more housing and fewer offices as many workers will continue to work remotely even after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not everyone agrees with the project and housing advocates say it will not help the housing crisis.

On April 14, the Development Agreement will be presented at the Station Area Advisory Group meeting and at a community meeting on  April 17.

The agreement and full project are scheduled to go before the San Jose Planning Commission on April 28 .

The final meeting is set for May 25 with the City Council.

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