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City DOT outlines Reimagining Santa Clara Street plan to slow speeds, boost retail activity
Summary
City DOT presented a three‑zone redesign for Santa Clara Street focusing on safety, bus speed and street vitality; staff will develop 10% designs and test treatments including bus priority, streetscape materials, and targeted public‑realm interventions.
City DOT transportation staff presented a summary of the Reimagining Santa Clara Street project to the Downtown Parking Board, describing a corridor redesign intended to improve safety, speed for bus riders, and the street’s economic vitality.
Eric Eidland, station planning manager with City DOT, framed the work as a downtown priority drawn from the downtown transportation plan. The project focuses on the central portion of Santa Clara Street — roughly from the Diridon Station area east toward Seventh Street and the creek — and divides the corridor into three character zones for tailored streetscape treatments.
Why it matters: Santa Clara Street is the city’s busiest bus corridor, and staff said existing vehicle mixes and curbside clutter slow buses and impede pedestrian movement. “The buses aren’t moving fast enough,” a board member said during discussion; staff noted that dedicated bus lanes, painted priority lanes, or other treatments could be used to speed transit while balancing space for businesses and pedestrians.
Project approach and early findings: staff said they completed an existing‑conditions report and identified safety and speed problems concentrated in the central portion of the corridor. The team is balancing three principles: move and connect people (transportation function); create more attractive, activated spaces for businesses and people; and emphasize the street’s sense of place.
Design work will proceed to 10% plans and will test options such as reconfiguring turn lanes, changing pavement and sidewalk materials, uniform street trees, coordinated lighting, and measures to reduce sidewalk and curb clutter (trash staging, freight loading). Staff said the project will also account for micro‑mobility and emerging modes when evaluating lane and curb strategies.
Community engagement: staff invited examples from other cities and said outreach will continue. Board members and attendees raised concerns about safety near San Jose State University and along San Fernando, night‑time lighting and perceived safety, and how the station and Santa Clara redesign should connect to campus desire lines.
Next steps: staff will develop 10% designs for the corridor, continue targeted outreach, and coordinate the Santa Clara Street work with the Diridon Station planning and regional projects where feasible.
