The Alameda Business Association Wins Governor's Historic Preservation Award

We were so pleased to learn that the State of California presented The Alameda Business Association with its Governor's Historic Preservation Award for 2009 to recognize the Association's outstanding achievements in the field of historic preservation for The Alameda Business District and its project, The Alameda: A Plan for "The Beautiful Way". This project is particularly dear to our hearts, and we have been delighted to offer efforts to this project ourselves.

"For more than 200 years, The Alameda has been one of San José's premier gateways," said Mayor Chuck Reed. "The Alameda Business Association, through partnership with neighboring community members, has helped preserve this grand boulevard's historic identity, while also ensuring a vibrant place for residents and office workers to shop and dine."

The Governor's Award annually recognizes outstanding grassroots organizations, and private and public agencies that creatively preserve and present California's historic resources, and make meaningful historical contributions by increasing public awareness, appreciation, and support for historic preservation. This prestigious award was presented at a special ceremony on January 20 in Sacramento.

"I want to congratulate The Alameda Business Association on winning this prestigious award," said Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio. "It has taken many years of dedication from volunteers and funding from the San Jose Redevelopment Agency to be able to restore and strengthen this amazing area."

The Alameda Business Association, which is composed of neighborhood-serving businesses dedicated to the revitalization of the Alameda Neighborhood Business District, was recognized for several historic preservation projects. These efforts have included: publishing the historical book, The Alameda, the Beautiful Way, the first book to document the 200-year history of The Alameda, launching The History Festival on The Alameda, and creating The Rose, White and Blue 4th of July Parade whose origins can be traced back to 1896. www.rosewhiteblueparade.org

"The ongoing efforts of the Alameda Business Association, local residents and the San Jose Redevelopment Agency are now recognized and celebrated by the Governor's Historic Preservation Award," said Larry Clark, Treasurer, The Alameda Business Association. "We are currently making our own history by planning for the future of The Alameda thanks to our CalTrans sponsored Community-Based Transportation Planning project. If you liked where we have been, you'll love where we are going - here on The Alameda!"

In 2008, the San Jose Redevelopment Agency and The Alameda community were also awarded a $250,000 State Caltrans Community-Based Transportation Planning Grant to begin The Alameda: A Plan for "The Beautiful Way, a visioning process for The Alameda to become a transportation-oriented corridor. The project covers approximately 1.5 miles between Diridon Station and Interstate 880 and will focus on making a more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly environment. Key elements of the project will include traffic calming, crosswalks, and the preservation of the area's historic elements. To learn more about the project, visit http://www.sjredevelopment.org/TheAlamedaTransportationImprovements.htm.



As planning efforts proceed, improvements have already begun with the installation of the first of several historic gateways into the Shasta Hanchett neighborhood, just off the Alameda. We were so happy to join forces with the Alameda Business Association and the Shasta Hanchett Neighborhood Association (SHPNA) to develop this historic gateway. We volunteered the planting design and installation labor, working closely with Lorie Bird of SHPNA. This was a very rewarding project with many constraints, but we're so excited to see this installation in the spring, as the waves of color emerge. If you are in the neighborhood, do stop by. It is on the corner of The Alameda and Hanchett.

We are truly thankful to the many dedicated neighbors and neighborhood businesses who contribute their efforts to develop the beauty, comfort, and neighborliness of our dear neighborhood.