Policy Proposal: Jump-Start Development Near Transit with Temporary TOD
By Benjamin Grant, Urban Design Policy DirectorThe passage of Assembly Bill 2923 means Bay Area cities must change their zoning to accommodate development on land that BART owns around its stations. Long-term plans for building housing will take time. In the short term, using the methods of tactical urbanism could give development near stations a jump start while allowing them to grow and change over time.
The Case for Increased Rail Service in South Santa Clara County
By Nicole Soultanov and James LightbodyMultiple commuter and passenger rail projects are in the works in the South Bay, but most of them target just a few travel corridors. Left behind are many areas with more limited transit options and a high dependence on automobiles. One of them is South Santa Clara County, where the opportunity to expand Caltrain service could greatly improve commute times and reduce carbon emissions.
We All Deserve to Be Counted: The Importance of the 2020 Census
By Sarah Jo Szambelan, Research ManagerThe 10-year census is a profound expression of who our nation is and who deserves to be included in our political systems and public services. With the 2020 census less than a year away, SPUR is hosting a series of events to look at ongoing local strategies to make sure everyone in the Bay Area gets counted.
My Rider Is Your Rider: What the Bay Area Can Learn from Germany’s Collaborative Transit Planning
By Arielle Fleisher, Senior Transportation Policy AssociateIn cities and regions across Germany, dozens of transit operators work together to provide riders with one simple and convenient transit system that is competitive with driving for many trips. It’s a far cry from the Bay Area, where transit services all have separate fares, schedules and maps. How were Germany’s cities able to align multiple operators into one seamless system?
The Politics of Potholes in Oakland: Fairness, Equity, City Budgets and the Public Good
By Robert Ogilvie, Oakland DirectorIn recent weeks the Oakland Department of Transportation has begun publicizing its new $100 million, three-year paving plan. Ordinarily a plan that triples annual spending would meet with universal acclaim. But this plan — which incorporates equity in deciding how to spend money on paving streets — has some parts of town happy and other parts up in arms.
Big Win: A Taller Skyline for San Jose
By Teresa Alvarado and Michelle HuttenhoffFor years, people have asked why downtown San Jose’s skyline is so … diminutive. This month, the city made a big decision that will finally allow its downtown to grow upward: Changing flight paths at Mineta San Jose Airport will allow taller buildings — meaning more jobs and housing near transit.
Expanding What Is Possible: A Vision for SPUR’s Next Era
By Alicia John-Baptiste, President and CEOIn her first address to the SPUR Board of Directors and staff, incoming President and CEO Alicia John-Baptiste shared her vision for the next era of SPUR's growth as an organization and how we can create sustainable change by expanding what people believe is possible.
SPUR Impact Awards 2019: Silicon Valley Clean Energy Team Redefines the South Bay's Energy Supply
The 2019 SPUR Impact, held on March 22, recognized outstanding job performance of those serving San Jose and the surrounding communities. The ceremony honored the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Core Staff Implementation Team for educating the community and other cities on Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE), a community choice energy program that redefines where and how electricity is supplied in the South Bay.
SPUR Impact Awards 2019: Martin Alkire Envisions a Greener Future for Mountain View’s North Bayshore
The 2019 SPUR Impact Awards, held on March 22, recognized outstanding job performance of those serving San Jose and the neighboring communities. The ceremony honored Martin Alkire for leading the transformation of a predominantly suburban office environment into a mixed-use area while preserving its unique wildlife and habitat.
SPUR Impact Awards 2019: Vallco Town Center Team Leads an Inclusive Process to Rethink a Declining Mall
The 2019 SPUR Impact Awards, held on March 22, recognized outstanding job performance of those serving San Jose and the neighboring communities. The ceremony honored The Vallco Town Center Specific Plan team for transforming the declining mall into a mixed-use area that offers a wide variety of housing choices for all income levels and abilities.