Google preparing work on mixed-use San Jose village to employ 25,000

Google is preparing to start work on a new transit-oriented Downtown West neighbourhood employing about 25,000 people at the edges of San Jose.

The project, described as a “village”, will include homes, office buildings, shops, restaurants, cultural and entertainment services, open spaces and hotel rooms.

“We’re now working on concept plans for the site preparation and infrastructure improvements needed to support the future development of the project,” Sheela Jivan, Google’s director of real estate development, San Jose, told the Mercury News for a story published on May 2.

Before office buildings and other structures can begin construction, infrastructure must be installed or upgraded at what is described as Google’s transit village.

“I’m excited to see that this project continues to move forward,” San Jose City Council member Dev Davis was quoted as saying. “The community has been wondering whether Google is going to develop Downtown West. This is a strong indication that Google is developing it.”

“A project of this size requires extensive planning,” Jivan said. “Since Downtown West’s approval last year, we’ve been focused on assembling our project team.”

“Some of the site preparation work and infrastructure improvements will be very visible and some won’t be,” the newspaper reported. “It’s too soon to give a precise timeframe for the actual start of construction for vertical offices, houses and merchant spaces.”

“We look forward to continuing our work with the city and community in this next phase,” Jivan said.