When San Jose started on its quest to assemble land for a downtown ballpark, its plans were ambitious. Initially, the City’s project area included the ballpark site you see in the rendering above, plus the “triangle” on the other side of Park Avenue and the strip between Los Gatos Creek and Autumn Street. Dwindling funds forced San Jose Redevelopment Agency to scale back its acquisitions to the point of being roughly two-thirds the size of the original project area. One parcel was acquired early on, and despite the fact that it can’t be part of the ballpark, it could play a key role in planning for the future district anchored by Cisco Field and HP Pavilion.
The parcel in question is the former 94 South Montgomery Street, on the northeast corner of West San Fernando and South Montgomery. A small multi-family housing unit once stood there, before it was demolished when SJRA acquired it. At a mere 6,780 square feet, it’s not much good for anything other than a a retail building. Currently, the land is fenced off. There don’t appear to be any plans to pave it, as the Stephens Meat lot was paved over post-demolition.
As part of the ongoing redevelopment of the largely light industrial area, several things are likely to occur in the distant future:
- Some landowners between West San Fernando and The Alameda/Santa Clara Street are likely to cash out when the time is right.
- Others who see the ballpark as potentially beneficial to their operations may choose to stay. An example is Poor House Bistro, which is located behind the 94 S. Montgomery parcel in the picture above.
- Streets will be dug up and repaved, with utilities headed underground.
- If the A’s get to working with the City, the Sharks, and VTA/Caltrain/Amtrak on planning, it’s likely that they’ll figure out a way to remake the area as a very pedestrian-friendly staging area for pre and post-game festivities, and even a Yawkey Way-like in-game area for fans. For instance, if you’ve gone to downtown San Jose for Christmas in the Park, you’ll see how Park Avenue is repurposed for carnival rides and booths. I would expect that kind of set up to happen on West San Fernando every homestand, which would take care of having additional family-oriented attractions adjacent to the space-challenged ballpark. I’d rather have that than *cough* a Coke bottle.
What about the parcel? Within the new staging context, it would appear that the parcel is a key piece to the future of Diridon area. Chances are that it’ll attract significant attention from developers, whether it’s the Wolff family or other developers. It wouldn’t surprise me if a major restauranteur were interested. Personally, I’d like to have an A’s museum there on a new structure. If not that, then a public plaza that honors A’s history. Coupled with the small parking lot next door, there are numerous opportunities. It’s not anything that can make Wolff/Fisher serious money, but it can significantly increase the attractiveness of the district. Anything that brings in fans, visitors, tourists – it’s all good for San Jose.
newballpark.org 
I like the idea of a museum. I wish they had one at the Coliseum and it’s a must at VC, but if it’s not anything that can make Wolff/Fisher serious money, I can’t see them building one. They’re in this thing to make money, no charity stuff like the Haas family.
…and that’s why the Haas family sold out, correct? Starting losing way too much money running the team. Why shouldn’t Wolff be in this to make money? None of us works our own jobs for free.
@pjka lot of teams lost money in the 90’s, including the Giants. When Scott/Hoffman took over in 96, they cut payroll and office staff by a 3rd, along with other things like Lon Simmons in the radio booth, and immediately showed a profit. Attendance went down even further. I do give them credit for rebuilding the farm system and proucing a pretty damn good club a few years later. Now I feel we’re startting over yet again.
That parcel and all of the rest between Cisco Fields and HP Pavilion is slated to be developed into high rises with a mini-street grid between the building. Each of the buildings will have ground floor retail with an emphasis on dining/entertainment.
Most of the land in that area is already owned by the city and is currently used as parking lots for Diridon / HP Pavilion. I don’t think the city will finish the purchase of all parcels until there is a definite schedule for either High Speed Rail construction to San Jose, BART to San Jose downtown, or the A’s ballpark. Any 1 of those 3 with a real construction schedule will cause the city to quickly finish buying the remaining parcels while also putting out request for development proposals for the area between Diridon, Cisco Fields, and HP Pavilion.
@SantaTeresaHills – Those are the plans. I have a feeling that the execution will be severely scaled back due to a lack of public money and the difficult, interruption-filled schedule any developer(s) would have to work with.
@JK – in this turbulent economic times, would you be willing to work for free and help out the country? Also,you keep on citing attendance but before you noted that it tanked when the team wasn’t playing well….but then again we’re used to the same ol’ rhetoric of blaming everything on LW….
STH, I thought that property you’re referring to between HP Pavilion and the ballpark site were slated to become a parking garage for the Pavilion, ballpark and expanded Diridon Station.
I say put in a new version of Patty’s Inn there. It could be our answer to MoMo’s.
As always, the ballpark will be gorgeous!
Hopefully they could move Patty’s Inn or at least use the original structure as a facade for a new building.
Went to Momo’s once before a G’s game 4 years ago. Overrated, won’t return. Slow service, lackluster food .I’d rather eat a dog at the ballpark. There’s better, cheaper places to eat in the area.
@JK not only that but the beers there cost just as much as the stadium? Whats up with that?
My favorite ” just outside the stadium” joint is Sliders, outside Camden Yards. $2 Old Bohemian and pulled pork sliders. Mmmmmmm