Stitching Districts Together
Stitching Districts
Connecting Downtown Through Places,
Spaces, and Community
Stitching Districts is an initiative designed to bring together projects, public space enhancements, and cultural activations that celebrate the vibrancy of our downtown. From new patios and park improvements to special celebrations and artistic showcases, these efforts highlight the past, present, and future of our community while creating meaningful connections between districts.
Follow along below to see everything stitch together as the district improvements get added over the next few weeks.
We will be updating this page often.
Little Italy Wayfinding - Coming Soon
Guadalupe River Trail - Coming Soon
Underpass Art Experience - Coming Soon
The Pavillon - Coming Soon
Santa Clara Street Reimagined
New murals, lighting, and storefront upgrades
Santa Clara Street has a fresh new look. After months of planning, design, and collaboration, the corridor now features public art, upgraded lighting, and storefront improvements—creating a more welcoming and walkable downtown.
CEO Noodle House Mural
Location: 130 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95112
Artist: Jessica Cao
Site Host: Sunstone Fund II LLC
San Jose Downtown Association is proud to collaborate with Sunstone Fund II LLC and local artist Jessica Cao to bring a fresh burst of creativity to downtown San Jose through our Window Art Gallery initiative.
Jessica, a San Jose native, brings a deep connection to the city and a passion for giving back to the community through her art. Her vibrant, thought-provoking installation transforms a high-traffic storefront into an inspiring visual experience for passersby, reinforcing our collective commitment to a more colorful, expressive urban landscape.
Homage Mural (Restoration)
Location: 147 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
Artist: Restored by original artist Paul Urich, who first created it in 2004 with Chris Duncan.
Site Host: Helen Ebert Smith, Ebert Properties ll LLC
The Homage mural—originally created in 2004 by artists Paul Urich and Chris Duncan—has been beautifully restored by Urich himself, breathing new life into this iconic tribute to Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos.
Located on the northeast-facing wall at 109 E Santa Clara Street, this 20-year-old public artwork stands as a powerful symbol of protest, pride, and perseverance. The restoration was led by Curatus and made possible through the support of the San Jose Downtown Property Owners’ Association.
Western Dental Building Restoration
Location: 48 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
Vendor: Castillo Builders
Site Host: Thanh Cong Investments, LLC
In partnership with Castillo Builders and Thanh Cong Investments, LLC, the San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA) led the repainting of this historic 1934 Art Deco building at 48 E Santa Clara Street.
SJDA worked closely with the property owners to select a warm, timeless color palette that highlights the building’s unique architectural features while honoring its historic character.
This effort not only enhanced the visual appeal of a key downtown property—it also helped attract a new tenant, marking a successful step in the ongoing revitalization of downtown San Jose.
Window Art Gallery | Ian Barth Building
Location: 15 E Santa Clara St and 2 N First St, San Jose, CA 95113
Artist: James Nicholaus Dalton
Site Host: Ian Barth
The Window Art Gallery at the Ian Barth Building brings color, creativity, and life to a once-vacant corner in the heart of downtown San Jose. In partnership with property owner Ian Barth, the San Jose Downtown Association transformed the empty windows into a street-facing gallery space that features rotating work by local artists.
James Nicholaus Dalton served as both the designer and the first exhibiting artist at this location. His illuminated installation not only showcases local artistic talent but also enhances the sense of safety and vibrancy at a key downtown intersection.
Santa Clara Tree Light
Location: Between 4th Street and Market St.
Vendor: Holiday Lights
Site Host: City of San Jose
The Comprehensive Lighting Plan is a strategic, multi-year initiative aimed at enhancing vibrancy, safety, and walkability throughout downtown San Jose.
Phase one launched along a four-block section of Santa Clara Street, between 4th Street and Market Street. This installation features programmable, dynamic lighting woven through the trees—creating a more welcoming nighttime environment while improving visibility for pedestrians and vehicles alike.
Developed in partnership with the City of San Jose, Holiday Lights, downtown property owners, artists, and community stakeholders, the project reflects a shared commitment to public safety and creative placemaking.
Property-Based Improvement District (PBID) staff will continue monitoring energy usage and infrastructure impact to inform future phases of this growing initiative.
Window Dressing: Ngan's Tailoring
Location: 105 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
Vendor: Creative Arts Management
Site Host: Helen Ebert Smith Ebert Properties ll LLC and Ngan Tailoring
As part of the Santa Clara Corridor Project, the San Jose Downtown Property Owners’ Association partnered with Mike Nguyen, owner of Ngan’s Tailoring—a cherished local business with over 30 years of history—to create a custom storefront window display at 105 E Santa Clara Street.
This activation supports ongoing downtown beautification efforts while honoring the legacy of small businesses that contribute to San Jose’s vibrant community. Working closely with Mr. Nguyen, POA and Creative Arts Management developed a tailored design that highlights the craftsmanship of Ngan Tailoring and reflects the cultural fabric of the corridor.
Mr. Nguyen played a vital role in the design process, offering valuable insight into his shop’s heritage to ensure the display authentically represents its identity.
Goldrock Building
Location: 97 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
Artist: Sam Rodriguez
Site Host: VTA
In partnership with VTA, the San Jose Downtown Association is proud to present a vibrant new window installation by renowned illustrator Sam Rodriguez, a San Jose native whose work celebrates the culture, vibrancy, and everyday life of the Bay Area.
A full-time professional artist since 2002, Sam began his creative journey in graffiti before earning a BFA in Illustration from California College of the Arts in San Francisco. His signature style blends portraiture, typography, and abstract forms to tell layered stories rooted in community and place.
For this installation, Sam reimagines the heart of downtown San Jose through dynamic illustrations of local small businesses—cafes, bookstores, panaderias, record shops, and more. Each piece captures the spirit of the city’s cultural and commercial life. Illuminated with LED lighting, the artwork transforms the window into a glowing tribute to San Jose’s diversity and creativity, especially after dark.
Chase Bank Building
Location: 55 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
Artist: Fernanda Martínez
Site Host: VTA
The San Jose Downtown Property Owners’ Association has partnered with artist Fernanda Martínez to transform the exterior of the Chase Bank Building at 55 W Santa Clara Street with a bold new artistic repainting and cohesive signage design.
Fernanda, an Oakland-based painter and muralist originally from Mexico City, is celebrated for her expressive, nature-inspired artwork and her masterful use of color. For this project, she drew inspiration from the Historic District’s neighborhood color palette, layering in her own vibrant interpretation to create a striking, site-specific installation.
Her intuitive approach and deep understanding of form and color infuse the building’s façade with energy and warmth—bringing new life to the corridor and contributing to the ongoing beautification of downtown San Jose.
Ak's Square
Location: 31 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
Vendor: Castillo Builders
Site Host: Amanuel Keleta
The San Jose Downtown Property Owners’ Association is partnering with Amanuel Keleta, owner of San Jose 29 East Santa Clara Street LLC to enhance the exterior of the AK’s Square Market building at 29-31 E Santa Clara Street. The scope includes power washing, surface repairs, awning removal, and a professional repainting of the facade. Castillo Builders Inc. will carry out the work, which includes a two-tone paint application, stucco patching, and protective measures to ensure quality and safety.
Copies & More
Location: 109 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
Artist: Priscilla Marquez
Site Host: Helen Ebert, Smith Ebert Properties ll LLC
As part of a pilot project to bring vibrancy and enhanced lighting to Santa Clara Street, the San Jose Downtown Property Owners’ Association collaborated with Bayprint Solutions and local artist Priscilla Marquez to activate a vacant storefront at 109 E Santa Clara Street.
Priscilla created a digital rendering of her artwork, which was installed as a backlit vinyl window wrap—adding warmth, color, and visual interest to the corridor. The installation remained in place until a new tenant moved in April 2025.
Chevron Plant Beds
Location: 147 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
Vendor: Allbay Landscaper
Site Host: Urban Catalyst
In collaboration with Urban Catalyst and the City of San Jose, this project reimagines the pedestrian experience at one of downtown San Jose’s busiest intersections—just steps from City Hall and surrounded by residential, commercial, and cultural landmarks.
With hundreds of pedestrians passing through daily, the newly added landscaping and pedestrian-friendly design elements have created a safer, more welcoming, and visually engaging streetscape. In dense urban areas, landscaping plays a vital role in softening hardscapes, reducing heat, improving air quality, and elevating the overall human experience.
This high-visibility project has been well received by the community and highlights the importance of public space improvements in fostering a vibrant, livable downtown.
Bank of Italy Building (Painting)
Location: 12 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113
Vendor: Castillo Builders
Site Host: Westbank – Brady Coggins
In collaboration with Westbank and the San Jose Property-Based Improvement District (PBID), the northeast-facing wall of 12 S 1st Street has been freshly repainted—enhancing the visual appeal of this high-traffic downtown corridor.
While only minimal surface adjustments were required, the project focused on priming and applying a fresh coat of paint to significantly improve the appearance of the wall and contribute to the overall aesthetic of the block.
Thank You to Our Project Sponsors
This project would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors
City of San Jose | VTA | Knight Foundation | Jay Paul | PG&E | Adobe | Urban Catalyst