Within the Office of Economic Development, the Real Estate Division has responsibility for the management of City-owned property, including coordinating the sale of surplus property. Over the past year, even throughout the pandemic, the Real Estate Division is been actively managing the City's real estate portfolio.

Approved by voters in 2018, Measure T authorized the City of San Jose to issue $650 million in general obligation bonds to invest in city infrastructure, including upgrades to emergency and disaster response facilities, flood prevention, water quality protection and the repair of bridges, streets and other critical infrastructure. The funds could be spent on land acquisition, design, construction and construction management. In San Jose, the following real estate transactions were made possible by Measure T:

• Acquired 300 Enzo Drive for a new Police Academy and Training facility
• Acquired property for the relocated Fire Station 8 at 13^th Street and Santa Clara Street
• Council authorized the acquisition of property located at 1138 Olinder for the construction of Fire Station 32.

When built and in service, the two new fire stations will help meet the demands on the Fire Department, and will be instrumental in reducing response time.

Apart from Measure T activity, the Real Estate Division has helped create new City parks:

• Council authorized the acquisition of land located at 199 Race street for a neighborhood park .
• Council approval is expected on 6/29 for the transfer of 460 Park Avenue to the Parks Department for the development of a neighborhood park.
• Entered into a land-use agreement with Caltrans for development of the Havana-Midfield pocket park.

The Real Estate Division handled donations of City land to facilitate important development opportunities in San Jose:

• Land was donated to Habitat for Humanity to save the Pallesen historic apartment structure from demolition, with the historic building relocated to make room for a new residential development.
• Donation of an easement to help facilitate affordable housing construction at 1710 Moorpark Avenue.

Whether collecting payment for leases of City property, managing donations, or by selling land not required by the City, this Division has contributed to the City’s revenues and supports the real estate needs of important City services.