Affordable housing project eyed near Google village
SAN JOSE >> A big residential complex of affordable homes is being planned next to downtown San Jose and close to the proposed Google transit village, a fresh indicator that new developments are in the works for the post-coronavirus era.
The San Jose development would consist of 156 residential units, which would all be affordable, located near the corner of West San Carlos Street and Sunol Street, according to documents on file with city planners.
“We are planning a 100 percent affordable project,” said Chris Dart, an executive with Danco Group, a residential developer based in the Humboldt County city of Arcata. Affordable housing is a key Danco specialty. “The prospect that Google is coming to the area played a big part in our interest in this site,” Dart said.
Acting through an affiliate, Danco Group purchased an approximately 1.2-acre site where the project would be developed. San Jose Sunol Street, the Danco affiliate, paid $11.2 million for the site, Santa Clara County property records show.
“We want to develop sites that are close to amenities, close to resources, grocery stores, school districts, walking distance to transit,” Dart said.
The development would include a fitness center, community spaces, a community room, and affordable child care.
The developers hope to begin construction on the project in 2023, once the city approval process is complete.
Across the road from the 777 West San Carlos development, Danco Group is planning another residential project of 80 affordable units at 750 W. San Carlos St.
Other residential developments are also in the vicinity along West San Carlos Street, and more are in the planning stages.
Google has proposed a transit-oriented community called Downtown West of office buildings, homes, shops, restaurants, hotels, cultural hubs, and entertainment centers where the search giant could employ up to 25,000 people.
“You want to put your housing near where the jobs are,” Dart said. “You want the housing to be where people are working, going to restaurants, shopping, going to the theater.”