August 24, 2006

Pyle, Chavez request funding for Hoffman/Via Monte SNI

San Jose City Councilmember Nancy Pyle and Vice-Mayor Cindy Chavez submitted a recommendation on Aug. 18 to Mayor Gonzales requesting $500,000 to beautify and improve the Hoffman/Via Monte Strong Neighborhood in District 10.

“Not only will this funding beautify District 10’s sole Strong Neighborhood, it is my hope that it will also bring an increased sense of pride and community to the residents of the Hoffman/Via Monte neighborhood,” Pyle said.

The funding will benefit the Hoffman/Via Monte neighborhood and surrounding areas in various ways. Some of the primary improvements include physical improvements to the perimeter of the residential and commercial area including new landscaping and potential small business façade/physical improvement. So far, the Hoffman/Via Monte SNI community has focused on internal improvements through residential building rehab, alley improvements and the development of a planned community center.

The perimeter of the neighborhood is in need of landscaping to improve the outward physical appearance of the area. Included in the proposal is the landscaping of the median between Almaden Expressway and Almaden Road along the eastern edge of the neighborhood and improvements to the median of Blossom Hill Road from Ayrshire Drive on the west to Almaden Expressway on the east. Remaining funds will be used to pay for improvements for small community businesses within the vicinity of the SNI.

“This is an investment in our neighborhoods and local businesses,” said Chavez. “These funds will make the area more attractive for customers and support the new and old businesses that are so crucial to the success of our city.”

In addition, the City Council adopted a resolution on Tuesday approving an increase in the construction contingency to $39,208 from $23,000 to address unforeseen existing conditions in the Hoffman/Via Monte SNI area.

For more information about these issues, contact District 10’s chief of staff Lee Wilcox at (408) 535-4910 or the vice-mayor’s council assistant, Adam Byrnes, at (408) 535-4903.