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Downtown activations bring life back the the streets
Guest Blogpost by Rick Jensen, San Jose Downtown Association
More and more, the new normal feels like the old normal in downtown San Jose. One week in September, downtown was alive with new normal public space-making events such as al fresco (outside dining) and the weekly Farmers’ Market, plus these two unique events:
POST STREET QMUNITY DISTRICT
Post Street between First and Market streets officially became the South Bay’s first LGBTQ+ community. The designation occurred Sept. 10 at a media event that respected social distancing and was only slightly impaired by the smoke still lingering from the devastating wildfires throughout Northern California.
“The South Bay LGBTQ+ community deserves a welcoming and affirming space of our own,” said Nathan Svoboda, president of Project MORE as he inaugurated the Qmunity district. “A place for shopping, socializing, networking and night life. A district that highlights our history, cultures, and diversity. Post Street is the perfect place.”
Civic leaders including downtown Councilmember Raul Peralez, Supervisor Cindy Chavez and San Jose Downtown Association Executive Director Scott Knies agreed, each speaking at the media event and participating in a symbolic splash of 11 different colors of the rainbow acknowledging all the types and colors of people deserving equity and inclusion.
The elected officials recognized the opportunity not only to embrace the LGBTQ+ community, but the longtime reputation of the street and Historic District as a place
where independent entrepreneurs of every color could get established and grow along with the downtown.
“The Qmunity district (#WeAreCommunity) will showcase the LGBTQ+ community’s diversity, expression, talent, history, and cultural arts, Svoboda added. Post Street will provide a welcoming space for LGBTQ+-owned and supportive ally businesses, organizations, community groups, and residents. The designation has the support of all the businesses on the block Splash Video Dance Bar, Labyrinth Bar and Kitchen and Mac’s Club already anchor the street and welcome everyone into their businesses. We must be so out there that there is no space for hate,” said Maribel Martinez, director of the office of LGBTQ Affairs for Santa Clara County. “This is a rainbow amid the storm.”
Post Street has a changed look already, with LED lighting, colorful sidewalks, two art crosswalks, street banners and soon, a mural on the Splash building at the corner of Post Street and Lightson Alley. Gensler design provided pro bono assistance on the look of the street.
“I look forward to more exciting businesses opening on the street," said TJ Bruce of Splash. “I can't wait to party again.”
More information at domoreproject.org. #wearecommunity #lgbtqia #dtsjopen
HELLA GARDENS STOREFRONT AND WINDOW PAINTING EVENT
Twenty-three artists brought painted foliage and garden scenes to 21 downtown storefronts starting Sept. 11, and continuing as air quality conditions allowed the following week. All the temporary window activation paintings had a floral theme. Pedestrians could even play a game of “Eye Spy” to find hidden bugs in the Hella Gardens art works.
The program to showcase the artistic diversity of San Jose was organized by Local Color and supported by the City of San Jose and San Jose Downtown Association.
Some of the sites include, Hank Coca’s, Leisure Sports, Western Dental and Saratoga Capital on East Santa Clara Street; the former Tech Shop on South Second Street; and Family Life Chiropractic and Hapa Masubi on the Paseo de San Antonio.
The artists will touch up the paintings once at the end of downtown’s warm-weather season, which often extends into November. When it starts getting wet, the paintings will be removed.
"Hella Gardens provides another reason for people to explore downtown on foot," said Erin Salazar, Local Color founder and executive director.
The artists involved come from diverse backgrounds. Some were involved in a downtown painting event of social messages in May following protests over the deaths of George Floyd and others. Lourdes (Lou) Jimenez, an artist and San Jose State University junior taking classes in visual culture (formerly art history) and urban planning, said she is studying urban planning so that she may be “more involved in community advocacy and to add input to who and who can’t paint in our cities.” For Hella Gardens, she painted a tropical garden with “a vintage look” on the corner of Santa Clara and South First Street.
“I hope that people like it,” she said. “This is for them – this is their street. No ads. Maybe they can stop, disconnect and find peace for a moment. It means a lot to me to be able to create something like this.”
The map provides a guide to the Hella Garden windows throughout downtown, as well the businesses that are open and ready to welcome you back. Check localcolorsj.com for more information.