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MarketCenter to expand downtown shopping scene
Rachel Hill
Daily Staff Writer
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The old Union Pacific Railroad property, located on Coleman Avenue and West Taylor Street, will be transformed into the new shopping center bringing retail services to the downtown and Rose Garden areas, as well as the area surrounding the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport.
Cousins Properties is developing the 360,000-square-feet complex that will host several national retail stores, including Target, Cost Plus, Michaels, Marshalls, Staples and PETsMART. The major retailers will be augmented by specialty shops, restaurants, financial institutions and fast food opportunities, according to a prepared statement by the mayor's office. Altogether the new shopping Mecca will make up 34 acres of the old rail yard.
"I'm looking forward to a major addition to the economic and retail strength of San Jose will provide greater shopping choices for our residents," said Mayor Ron Gonzalez in a prepared statement.
The new complex is expected to add 200 permanent jobs to the area.
The $80 million project is estimated to bring the city $1.7 million in sales tax after its completion, according to the prepared statement.
Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez is the councilwoman for the area where the complex is being constructed. Chavez sees the addition of the MarketCenter as greatly beneficial to the area.
"San Jose MarketCenter will be a fantastic addition to the many new restaurants, shops, high-rises and homes we have coming to our downtown," Chavez said. "MarketCenter will be the place (downtown residents) have been waiting for a long time to shop for what they need."
In conjunction with the new shopping center, Cousins Properties is developing a 3-acre site that will be used to construct the Guadalupe River Park and will widen Coleman Avenue.
David Vossbrink, communications director for the City of San Jose, said the new complex will undoubtedly increase traffic to the area but will have a minimal impact during the main commute hours since people usually shop all throughout the day.
Despite the numerous companies that reside downtown, the area lacks the presence of major retail stores.
Downtown San Jose and other areas of San Jose encompassing the MarketCenter are considered under-retailed said Robert Manarino, the Western region director for Cousins Properties. Manarino said in an e-mail that the shopping center hopes to serve not only downtown, but the general area that's in a five-mile radius.
"There exists a higher demand for retail goods and services in the general area than are currently provided," said Manarino. "San Jose MarketCenter will ... be a natural to supply the residents living, working and playing in the downtown core with goods, services and entertainment."
The former railroad motif will be added into the design of the new shopping center, Manarino said.
"Given (the) history, we have attempted to incorporate some elements of a rail yard using some inspiration from Diridon station south of the site," said Manarino.
The region director pointed out that the MarketCenter would fulfill many students' needs, including purchasing school supplies at Staples or buying clothes at Marshalls.
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