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ARVAC Achievements 2016-2024

Working with the City, County, SJPD, SCC Sheriff and RLEI:

  • Participated in the election of the new D5 Neighborhood Committee

  • Represented our area during the Viva Calle SJ Bike Ride

    • Hosted a pit stop at the Village for Viva Calle organized bike ride.

  • Ongoing engagement with SJPD and SCC Sheriffs:

    • Driving by the front of the village shops and parking lots to help cut back on drug deals, prostitution, and loitering.

    • Shut down an illegal "salon" and gambling rings.

  • Feasibility plan (Measure B) to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety going up Alum Rock Avenue from White Rd all the way to the old entrance of the park. (2017)

    • Due to a lawsuit this project came to a standstill and then a halt. During the standstill monies set aside for the project by the City, County and Roads and Airport were allocated to other projects.

  • Coordinating with RLEI (Responsible Landlord Engagement Initiative) to bring security and improvements to Quik Stop (2018)

  • 25 mph speed limit ordinance and the request for radar enforcement on Maro Drive were approved by the Board of Supervisors

  • Hosting dumpster days (on going)

  • Homeless encampments:

    • Clearing out encampment behind Mi Ranchito (2021)

    • Removal of encampment behind Benjamin Moore removed. (2021)

  • Got Lowes to install fencing around the OSH property

  • Lead monthly trash pick-up in the Village. (2021)

  • Worked with DOT to install a light beacon at Alum Rock/Millar and Alum Rock/Manning (2021)

  • Coordinated with DOT to install a Pedestrian Crosswalk Sign at the Alum Rock /Millar Ave center divider.

  • Worked with Councilmember Ortiz & Office of Economic Development to get a Business Manager hired for D5.

    • Business Manager was hired in 2023.

  • Established and presented 2023 goals.

    • Hire a D5 Business Manager (Completed 2023)

    • Form Based Zoning (Ongoing)

    • Code Enforcement: Vacant OSH Building

    • Work with the County to purchase the Mt. Hamilton empty lot.

      • Closed. The property owner is not interested in selling.

    • Feasibility plan (Measure B).

      • Closed due to lack of funding

    • Urban Forest

      • Closed: San Jose Awarded $6.6M to grow tree canopy in underserved neighborhoods.

    • Parks (Ongoing)

    • Housing – Lack of Master Plan: Developers: Charity Housing & Pacific West (Ongoing)

    • Salsa Festival

      • Closed: Dia De Los Muertos Festival hosted by Councilmember Ortiz (2023)

    • Safety, Speed & Crime (Ongoing)

  • Mural for the PG&E Wall at the Alum Rock/680 Exit (2023)

    • Working with Councilmember Ortiz’s office to find funding.

  • Received Commendation Award from Councilmember Ortiz’s office (2023).

  • Election periods: Invite candidates to attend ARVAC meeting to introduce themselves:

    • Mayoral Race (2022)

    • Councilmember Race (2022)

    • Santa Clara County Supervisor (2024)

 

Art in the Village:

  • Murals:

    • Heart of the Valley Delight Mural on the corner of Alum Rock Ave and White Rd. (2017)

    • Libertad Mural on the Benjamin Moore wall. (2019)

    • Vendors Mural on Las Delicias wall (2019)

    • Mini murals on the electrical boxes. (2019)

    • Mini mural on the utility door. (2019)

  • Worked with BeautifySJ to spray anti-graffiti sealer on the various art work to protect against tagging. (2019)

    • Removed graffiti off Libertad Mural on the Benjamin Moore wall. (2023)

  • Large banners on Alum Rock – worked with the City:

    • “Welcome to the Alum Rock Village” (2017)

  • HOBA (Hands on Bay Area) to bring tech volunteers to the area to make improvements to the local schools. 

    • Joseph George Junior High School

    • Millard McCollan School (on going)

  • Abierto Grant:

    • Grant approved for a sculpture to be placed in the Roberto Cruz Library (2022).

  • El Mejor Market:

    • Worked with the Office of Economical Environment to help the market get a new sign in the front of their store. (2022).

  • BeautifySJ Grant:

    • C5: Won $1500: Painted two utility boxes on the corners of Kirk/McKee & McKee/White (2023)

    • C6: Applied for $5,000. (Pending)

  • San Jose PEACE Grant:

    • Won $2,000 grant for dumpster days (2024)

 

Improvements to the village:

  • Worked with the garbage company:

    • Added more garbage cans in the village. 

    • Replaced the old cement garbage cans at the James Lick High School bus stop on Alum Rock/White Rd (2023)

  • Engaged the garbage company to pick up garbage twice a week instead of once. 

  • Started Project Monarch Garbage Pickup Program. 

    • Established a slogan: "Before you dash…Pick up your trash."

    • Engaged with JLHS, Escuela Popular and St. John Vianney Schools to pick up garbage on Saturday mornings from September through June.

  • Washed the sidewalks on both sides of the village. (2017)

  • Painted the curb on the Starbucks side of the street. (2018)

  • Continue to participate in the Great American Litter Pick-up. (ongoing)

  • Handed out trash pick-up sticks to all the businesses in the village to pick up trash around their storefronts. (2021)

  • Landlords:

    • Working with the village landlords to make improvements. (ongoing)

    • Convinced one of the landlords not to renew the lease of a questionable businesses. (2022)

    • Instrumental in bring Sushi Town Restaurant to the village. (2023)

  • Removed broken magazine boxes from in front of El Mejor Market. (2022)

  • Worked with Jesus Flores from Latino Business Foundation to encourage and help the village businesses to start a business association.

    • Done (2022)

  • Worked with the City to get lighting installed in the parking lot behind Planned Parenthood (2022)

    • Trees were trimmed to allow for better lighting and more safety. (2022)

 

And More:

  • Hold monthly committee meetings – Second Tuesday of each month.

    • These meetings include representatives from the Mayor, Councilmember and Santa Clara County Supervisor’s offices. 

    • We also have a student from JLHS attend our meetings. All these representatives allow ARVAC to get support faster.

  • Created Bylaws (2017)

  • Joined United Neighborhood of Santa Clara County (UNSCC). (2020)

  • During the pandemic, ARVAC was the first neighborhood association to meet via Zoom. (2021)

  • Online presence:

  • Created a monthly flyer to keep neighbors informed of what ARVAC is up to and highlighted a monthly vendor. 

  • La Raza Historical Society:

    • ARVAC’s Fiscal Agent so grants can be applied for. (2023)

  • Collaborate with other D5 Neighborhood Associations to have a stronger voice within East San Jose.

  • Representing the community while communicating with developers: (ongoing)

    • Pacific West

    • Charities Housing

  • Opening Doors – “One Warm Coat”: (Ongoing)

    • Collecting coats from the community for the needy.

  • Toys for Paws:

    • Worked with the SCC Sheriff's Department to distribute toys to children in the area at Christmas (2023)

 

What are we working on?

  • 2024 Goals:

 

Do you want to help improve our little area of San Jose? Join us! We meet on the second Tuesday of each month via Zoom. 

Contact Us / Volunteer

arvac-team@googlegroups.com

Thanks for submitting!

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