Gore Park

1st ACT Silicon Valley

Funding Received: 2011
San Jose, CA
$500,000
Funding Period: 1 year and 5 months
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In 2012, 1stACT Silicon Valley led a coalition of stakeholders in the transformation of Parque de los Pobaldores, formerly known as Gore Park, from a narrow and underutilized strip of grass into an "urban living room for the arts" for San Jose's South of First Arts (SoFA) district- an emerging arts and culture district with an eclectic mix of businesses and arts organizations. In addition to welcoming thousands of visitors for special events like South First Friday Art Walks and the SubZERO Festival, the Parque enables the surrounding arts organizations to extend their programming beyond the walls of their buildings and activate the entire district. With support from ArtPlace America, transformation of the 9,600 sq.ft. plaza included permanent removal of one lane of traffic between the Parque and the adjacent block of businesses, installing infrastructure to accommodate complete street closure during special events, replanting with native trees, and installing new benches fashioned from the old granite walls.

SoFA's urban plaza remains a "work in progress," and recently received an NEA Our Town grant for Phase II, which will include a much-anticipated shade sculpture by artist/designer Teddy Cruz, and additional public art. The SoFA district community is fully committed to activating the space with programming and events, through ongoing leadership and investment from local artists, event organizers, nonprofit organizations and businesses. The growing vibrancy and success of the SoFA district continues to attract new residents, restaurants and creative businesses- a neighborhood that once struggled to attract tenants, the SoFA is now near capacity, and making a significant contribution to the economic health and future of San Jose.

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See below for recent updates, press, and events from this project

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A couple of weeks back, the SoFA District in San Jose, California introduced a game-changing development: the new Parque de los Pobladores . A neglected... Read More
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The SoFA district in downtown San Jose is an eclectic collection of cafes, creative businesses, recreational businesses and arts organizations. It is home to some... Read More
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1stACT Silicon Valley is a cross-sector leadership network that is working to activate downtown San Jose as Silicon Valley's City Center. 1stACT chose SoFA, San... Read More
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1stACT Silicon Valley and the City of San Jose are partnering with the SoFA District, the arts and entertainment district in downtown San Jose, to... Read More
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Gore Park is located in the SoFA district or South First Area of downtown San Jose, California. The district is home to a diverse mix... Read More
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The SoFA (South First Area) district in downtown San Jose is a diverse mix of arts organizations and businesses that demonstrate the unique and creative... Read More
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As final design work continues on the Gore Park project, the surrounding arts organizations are developing programing plans for the park and the district. Six... Read More
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The Gore Park team is currently finalizing a design that includes a large, flexible space for performances and events, as well as a small "room"... Read More
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Gore Park is surrounded by arts organizations doing incredible work. However, the park also counts among its neighbors talented and nationally respected builders and architects... Read More
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Gore Park Transformation Planning Team jumps into action.The transformation of Gore Park in Downtown San Jose is definitely a team effort and the team is... Read More
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1 st Act Silicon Valley and the City of San Jose b uild an "Outdoor Living Room for the Arts" in downtown. Silicon Valley talent... Read More