Silicon Valley Business Journal
From the article:
The Ohlone lives.
A year after a major mixed-use project in San Jose's Midtown neighborhood seemed all but dead, the developer has reached a deal with the city that could set the stage for a groundbreaking by 2016.
"We are now proceeding forward," said Michael R. Van Every of Green Republic LLC, the joint venture that is developing the 8.25-acre project at West San Carlos and Sunol streets.
Key to getting the project back in gear: Allowing Green Republic — a partnership of Republic Urban Properties and Barry Swenson Builder — to build shorter wood-frame buildings in the first two phases, rather than more expensive towers. And a deal has been reached in which the city will gain property sooner, to allow the expansion of nearby Del Monte Park — a key sticking point and longtime community goal.
"Rather than waiting for too long, we will have agreement for a four-acre parcel for a soccer field," said Councilman Pierluigi Oliverio, who represents the district. "The end product of this area will be high-density market-rate, mid-rise and high-rise housing, with the gem being the park."
The up-to-800-unit Ohlone — which could cost up to $300 million when complete — is a centerpiece of a major transformation of this stretch of West San Carlos Street, parts of which have long been blighted by empty lots and poor sidewalks.
Next door at 800 W. San Carlos St., Fairfield Residential just acquired the five-acre former Cheim Lumber yard, where it plans to build 315 apartments and 23,500 square feet of retail and office space. The lumberyard has been closed for years.