Naglee Park is a historic San Jose neighborhood developed on the estate of Brig. General Henry Morris Naglee, a Civil War veteran and prominent California pioneer.
The Campus Community Association grew out of Naglee Park to become a strong advocate for neighborhood values in San Jose. As a result, the Naglee Park neighborhood is at the forefront on issues affecting the downtown neighborhoods and San Jose as a whole.
On behalf of the Campus Community Association, I am writing to support Councilmember Sam Liccardo's proposal to align the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) tunnel to the north of Santa Clara Street, beneath Roosevelt Park and the former San Jose Medical Center site.
When earlier this year the Valley Transportation Authority had informed us that there were technical difficulties in aligning the train directly under Santa Clara Street as had been planned, a series of community meetings were held so that the affected residents and business owners could receive information and review this important issue. Neighbors from the affected neighborhoods, including Naglee Park, participated in this process.
The Campus Community Association, after discussing this matter with our adjoining neighborhoods, took the position that that the tunnel alignment and venting structure should be such as to have the least impact on any existing homes.
The North alignment will provide a minimum of a block between the tunnel and an existing residential neighborhood. We have also been informed by the experts that placing the tunnel underneath the SJMC property will not significantly affect the redesign of the parcel and its' future use. As a community we also agree that tunneling primarily beneath city property (Roosevelt Park and Community Center) and a parcel planned for future redesign and zoned for public use (the former San Jose Medical Center (SJMC) is more realistic and will be more successful than individually addressing the impacts on dozens of private property owners on the south side of Santa Clara Street.
Our downtown is evolving and we urge our City Leadership to keep in mind that our stable and healthy neighborhoods are the foundation for the future of a vital and successful downtown San Jose.
The Campus Community Association is writing today to share our concerns regarding the Ryland pool and acknowledge its long history serving our downtown families here in San Jose.
Ryland Pool is a historic resource to the downtown community. Built in 1925 with private funds from the Rotary Club of San Jose, is an architecturally notable structure and is one of the only round pools ever built. Over the 82 years of its operation, the pool has been a hub of recreational activity for downtown families and has provided many young children the opportunity to learn water safety, to swim, and to beat the heat during summer here in our neighborhoods. It is a wonderful resource for downtown families, having an adjacent park with a play area, barbeques, and picnic tables.
The Campus Community Association has consistently supported recreational opportunities for children and families here in downtown, as well as historic preservation to assure that current residents and future generations will enjoy all that makes our downtown special. Downtown San Jose, with its expectations of substantial growth over the next 20 years, is exactly where we must preserve family-friendly recreational opportunities and where such services are most needed.
We formally request that the Ryland Pool be preserved and that immediate steps be taken to fix the pool after many years of deferred maintenance. It is an architectural gem and deserves to proudly serve downtown residents as it has in years past.
Join our 2006 4th of July Parade Grand Marshall's Jack and Marley Spilman in celebrating the 4th in Naglee Park style. The day begins with a Fun Run and Bake Off. The neighborhood parade leads to a block party adjacent to William St Park. Ice Cream in the Park caps the afternoon.
Schedule of Events
8:00 am
Registration for Fun Run. Meet at William St Park.
8:30 am
Fun Run Begins
9:00 am
Bake-Off Entries must be in. Deliver to 585 South 12th Street
12:30pm
Assemble for Parade at S 14th and San Salvador Sts.
1:00pm
Parade Begins
1:45pm
Neighborhood Block Party on the 600 Block of South 16th Street
