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Council renames downtown street segments 'Sharks Way' and designates Little Italy Way segment
Summary
The council approved renaming contiguous segments from San Pedro Square through the arena district to 'Sharks Way' and directed staff to adopt an adjacent segment name of 'Little Italy Way' for a North Almaden block. Staff completed outreach as required; the change aims to enhance wayfinding and support downtown cohesion.
The San Jose City Council on May 13 approved a renaming of several short blocks of downtown right‑of‑way to create a contiguous thoroughfare named "Sharks Way" running from San Pedro Square toward the SAP Center, and endorsed a complementary renaming of a short North Almaden segment as "Little Italy Way." The measure passed unanimously.
What staff said: Planning staff described the renaming request as a "minor" street renaming under council policy (affecting fewer than 20 occupied parcels on the segments in question) and said outreach notices had been delivered to property owners and tenants within 300 feet of the proposed segments. The renaming affects signage, address systems and notifications to partner agencies; staff noted standard coordination steps with the postal service, Police and Fire dispatch, DOT and county systems.
Why it matters: Supporters said the contiguous name will improve pedestrian wayfinding between San Pedro Square, Little Italy and the SAP Center, help "stitch" the downtown together, and provide a clearer gateway for events. The proposal was supported by neighborhood stakeholders and downtown groups who have been promoting pedestrian and placemaking improvements for the corridor.
Process and implementation: Staff will coordinate address updates, notify affected agencies and property owners, and implement signage changes in coordination with the Department of Transportation and public safety dispatch agencies. Staff noted that renaming a contiguous thoroughfare avoids multiple, fragmented street names on the same corridor.
Ending: Council approved the renaming and the companion Little Italy designation; staff will proceed with administrative updates and sign installation.
