The New San José Civic Center will be a landmark building that reflects the pride and stature of our community. It will stand as a symbol of our city’s cultural and historical roots as well as its technological savvy. More importantly, the new facility will bring City operations together, resulting in better customer service for our residents and businesses.

The building features a One-Stop Customer Service Center, where you will be able to pay bills, apply for permits, or obtain business licenses at one convenient location. The Civic Center will also include a public plaza and rotunda for community events and celebrations. More than a building, the New San Jose Civic Center represents our commitment to efficiency, service, and pride.

"The New San Jose Civic Center will be a place the people of San José are proud of.  It will it be a community landmark that will help us improve the quality and efficiency of our City services and it will contribute to the growing strength of our downtown.”   – Mayor Ron Gonzales

“Great cities should have public buildings that make a statement. Civic buildings help create not only the heart in the center of the city, but also the pride of the city.” – Councilmember Pat Dando.

“It’s quite clear that this is the right project. It’s the right time and we should move forward. The advantages speak for themselves with the savings.” – Vice Mayor George Shirakawa Jr.

 

      

BUILDING FEATURES

Architect: Richard Meier & Partners
Construction Manager: Turner Construction Company

Total Area: 555,000 square feet 
Height: The 18-story tower is 288 feet at its highest point.
Capacity: Approximately 1,950 employees
Parking: 400 on-site and 1,250 off-site spaces
Budget:  $343 million

Long-term Project Savings:  Taxpayers will save approximately $189 million over the next 30 years as a result of the consolidation of City services in one location that minimizes the costs for leased office space in multiple locations throughout the community.

One-Stop Customer Service Center: Located at the base of the office tower, this convenient center provides for efficient customer service by bringing many city operations together at the same public counter, and allowing customers to access frequently used services including planning, building, and other permits. A customer information desk, self-service stations, comfortable waiting areas and a centralized cashier are also included on the first level.

Rotunda Dome: This glass-domed public gallery space will stretch 110 feet high, and serve as the central information point for visitors to the New Civic Center.  The open space under the glass dome connects directly to the open space of public plaza to provide an exciting new venue for community celebrations and events.

City Council Chambers:  The 34,000-square-foot council chambers will use state-of-the-art audio/video technology and will be fully accessible for individuals with disabilities. 

Public Meeting Rooms

Attractive Landscaping and plenty of Open Space

 

      

BACKGROUND   

More than eight years ago, the San José City Council, under the direction of former Mayor Susan Hammer, identified the need for a New Civic Center as a way to reduce the costs of leased office space and to enhance public service.  In November 1996, 61% of San José voters approved Measure I, which authorized a new downtown civic center on the condition that the costs of the project would be paid from the savings from the elimination of leased office space and the consolidation of city facilities and services.

The New San José Civic Center will benefit the people of San José for a half-century or more by saving taxpayers money, improving customer service and city efficiency, complementing downtown development strategies, and becoming a civic landmark that reflects the pride and stature of our community. The building will incorporate environmentally efficient systems that will reduce long-term operating costs and energy usage.

The public has been involved at every step of this project, including site selection, design, traffic, and construction impacts. A community task force and an extensive public process helped select the current project site in 1998. The Project Area Committee (PAC) and Parking & Traffic Committee (PTC) will continue to be active in an advisory role through project implementation.

The City Council has identified a number of key goals for the New Civic Center. These include:

·        Customer service improvements such as a one-stop service center

·        Consolidating many City services at a central site

·        Making technological and efficiency improvements

·        Establishing a foundation to attract additional private investment to underserved areas of downtown, while minimizing the loss of tax increment revenue

·        Easy access to transportation alternatives

·        Establishing a landmark and space for civic celebrations that fosters community pride

·        Providing multiple public meeting rooms

·        Creating a state-of-the-art Council Chambers to support productive public dialogue

·        Reflecting the vitality, diversity, and creativity of San José

·        Incorporating effective sustainable design elements into the project

The New Civic Center will reflect the community’s and Council’s desire to make this a true civic center for San José.  It includes: a large civic plaza for community celebration and public gatherings; multiple public meeting rooms; a state-of-the-art Council chambers that can accommodate large audiences and support productive public dialogue; and convenient and efficient customer service centers for the public’s business transactions with the City. The 4th and Santa Clara Street site is approximately 4.9 acres, with an additional acre being used for the off-site garage.      

     

VOTER APPROVAL AND SITE SELECTION

Nov. 5, 1996            Measure “I” Passed By San Jose Voters

Measure “I” allows for the relocation of City Hall to Downtown, provided the associated cost of development and construction do not require additional taxes and no funds are diverted from other programs. The measure passed with 61% voter approval to accomplish the goals of reducing City costs, improving public service, and support downtown development.

 

Apr. 27, 1997  Formation of Civic Center Complex Relocation Task Force

The San José City Council appoints the Civic Center Complex Relocation Task Force to study the options for moving City Hall to an alternate location, in the downtown area. Members of the task force represent broad downtown, community, civic, and business interests.

June 24, 1997            Downtown Site Selected

After consideration of 13 potential downtown sites, the Civic Center Complex Relocation Task Force recommends and the City Council approves a downtown site at 4th and West Santa Clara Streets.  The preferred location meets criteria for size, service, transit, and downtown development goals.

 

Sept. 22, 1998 Site Included in Civic Plaza Redevelopment Plan

The City Council approves the San José Redevelopment Agency’s proposal to include the downtown site (West Santa Clara Street) for the New Civic Center in the Agency’s Civic Plaza Redevelopment Plan.

City Hall Relocation Economic Feasibility Report Approved

The City Council approves the Preliminary Economic Feasibility Study reconfirming selection of the downtown site after reviewing analysis of current Civic Center site.

Project Area Committee Formed

The City Council authorizes formation of a Project Area Committee  to review the proposed Redevelopment Plan for the Civic Plaza Redevelopment Area.

  

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PHASE

Nov. 24, 1998            Design Architect Selected

The world-renowned architectural firm of Richard Meier & Partners (RMP) is awarded the contract to develop initial architectural design concepts and produce schematic design drawings.

 

May 11,1999            Construction Manager Selected

The City Council approves the selection of Turner Construction Company (TCCO) as Construction Manager for the project.

 

June 8, 1999            Project Certified as Conforming with Measure “I”

 

The City Council approves staff report concluding that an updated Financial Model

demonstrates moving City Hall to the approved downtown location meets

the requirements of Measure “I” and will save taxpayer dollars by minimizing long-term lease costs.

Certification of Civic Plaza Environmental Impact Report

 

DATES-   The City Council approves certification of Civic Plaza Redevelopment Plan Environmental Impact Report.

Civic Plaza Redevelopment Project Area Established

The City Council approves formation of new project area around the intended site for the new Civic Center, as recommended by the Project Area Committee.

Parking and Traffic Committee Formed

The City Council approves the recommendation to form a Parking and Traffic Committee as an advisory group to Council.

 

Zoning Plan Amendment and Increased Building Height Approved

The City Council approves General Plan Amendment to change the land use designations in the Civic Plaza area to Public/Quasi Public and allows an increased building height in this project area to accommodate the  anticipated building size.

Dec. 7,1999            Additional Conceptual Design Presented

The City Council is presented with five new conceptual architectural designs. Council directs Mayor and Vice Mayor to develop alternative options Richard Meier for Council consideration.  

March 29, 2000            Conceptual Design Finalized and Approved

The Council approves a new RMP’s new design concept that satisfies the requirements of the City Council and the community.

 

SCHEMATIC DESIGN PHASE

Sept. 19, 2000 Schematic Design Approved and Off-Site Garage Authorized  

The City Council directs staff to proceed to the Design Development Phase and to prepare planning, financing, and construction strategies for off-site parking.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASE

Apr. 17, 2001            Off-Site Garage Location Approved

The City Council approves proposed location of off-site parking garage between 4th and 5th Streets, south of Saint John Street.

June 19, 2001            Design Development Approved

The City Council approves the Design Development. Council also authorizes amending the contract of the design architect for the Construction Document Phase.

 

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENT PHASE

Nov. 6, 2001            Measure “I” Recertified

The City Council approves a final project budget of $343 million, which includes $55 million for site acquisition and relocation, $244 million for building development, and $44 million for on-site and off-site parking. Budget is approved predicated on a proposed Multiple Prime construction delivery method to ensure that timelines and budget goals are met.

The City Council re-certifies that the project meets the requirements of Measure “I.”

The long-term economic benefit by relocating City Hall Downtown is

calculated at a savings of $189M.

 

DATES -   City and Redevelopment Agency Cooperation Agreement Amended and Restated

The City Council approves City compensation to the Redevelopment Agency for costs associated with delivery of Civic Center on-site and off-site properties.

Apr. 9, 2002 - The City Council directs the City Administration to evaluate Civic Center alternative scenarios.  After analyzing potential alternative sites against criteria for cost, schedule, and downtown development goals, staff confirmed the project at the 4th and Santa Clara Street site.

 

May 14, 2002 - The City Council approves the 4th and Santa Clara Street site as the location for the New Civic Center and authorizes the City Manager to take all steps necessary to move forward.

CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Aug. 2, 2002  Notice to Proceed Issued to Excavation Contractor – First Phase of Construction

Notice to Proceed is issued to RGW Company in the first of what may be up to 62 contracts on the project. 

Aug. 14, 2002      Ceremonial Groundbreaking

Late 2004            Construction scheduled for completion and relocation begins.

Early 2005           Grand opening of New San Jose Civic Center