Park Center Project Building Survey, 1961
Online content
Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- San Jose (Calif.). Building Department
- Abstract:
- Extent:
- .25 linear feet
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
Park Center Project Building Survey. History San Jose Research Library
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The survey covers 64 residential and commercial addresses in the proposed Park Center Plaza redevelopment area along Almaden, Locust, South Market, Park, Post, South River, West San Carlos, West San Fernando, and Vine. Each survey sheet includes address, type of unit, and structural survey denoting code violations, photographs of exterior (front) as well as some interior and detail code violation shots. Most of the residences are Victorian-era, and document the original working-class neighborhood. Commercial structures are one or two-story, most with businesses on the ground floor and apartments or hotels on the upper floor.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Park Center Plaza was the San Jose Redevelopment Agency's first major urban renewal project, designating thirteen blocks in the west-of-Market neighborhood to be leveled and replaced by a high-rise commercial center. Plans were announced to residents in 1959 and city inspectors visited the properties to assess them as part of the City's plans to purchase properties at fair-market-value. The area was declared "blighted" by the San Jose City Council on February 25, 1960, and the official redevelopment plan was adopted on July 24, 1961. Groundbreaking ceremony took place in July, 1968 and most of the buildings were completed by 1972.
- Acquisition information:
- Transferred to the San Jose Historical Museum in 1986 from the City of San Jose Building Department.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open to the public for research by appointment. The photographs have been scanned and are available to view online.
- Terms of access:
-
Contact History San Jose's Research Library & Archives for information on publication and reproduction.
- Preferred citation:
-
Park Center Project Building Survey. History San Jose Research Library
- Location of this collection:
-
1661 Senter RoadSan Jose, CA 95112, US
- Contact:
- (408) 287-2290