SAN JOSE — An abandoned church, a fire-scorched hotel, an old farm, a youth center, a one-time sports arena, a 19th-century winery site, a landmark cannery and a long-gone movie palace.
These are the latest properties that the Preservation Action Council of San Jose warns could vanish or fall into ruin due to development or neglect in its annual list of the “Endangered Eight.”
“These irreplaceable sites embody tangible, authentic connections to San Jose’s rich past and vibrant present, yet face imminent threats due to neglect, development pressures, and a lack of recognition of their cultural significance,” PAC SJ stated in its new report.
The preservationist group states that the latest list signals which sites currently need the greatest focus.
Here is PAC SJ’s latest “Endangered Eight” list of properties, all in San Jose:
— First Church of Christ, Scientist, at 43 East St. James Street next to a downtown park, was built in 1905 and faces neglect. A China-based developer had promised to restore and renovate the church but has failed to come through on its obligations.
— Sakauye Farm site at 2620 Seely Avenue on the north side of the city, was built out and heavily in use from the 1900s through the 1940s. Redevelopment imperils the property.
— MACSA Youth Center at 660 Sinclair Drive, was built in 1995 and faces redevelopment and neglect.
— Lawrence Hotel, located at 71 to 89 East San Fernando Street in the downtown, was built in 1893 and is jeopardized by neglect after a disastrous fire.
— Forman’s Arena at 447 West St. John Street is an old boxing and wrestling site that was built in 1926. The downtown property faces redevelopment and neglect.
— Bayside Canning Co. at 1290 Hope Street in Alviso was built in 1925. The property was once the site of the nation’s third-largest cannery and employed immigrants from Asia and Europe. A partial collapse of its roof in 2023 could hasten the building’s demise due to neglect.
— Almaden Winery Cellar at 5533 Le Franc Drive in south San Jose. Part of California’s first commercial winery, it was built in 1852. Neglect jeopardizes the site.
— Burbank Theater is a long-shuttered movie palace at 560 South Bascom Avenue that faces redevelopment and neglect.
“Threats to these sites include speculative real estate practices and development pressures, neighborhood disinvestment and lack of financial resources,” PAC SJ stated in its report.
PAC SJ also stated that it isn’t simply attempting to block progress but hopes to work with developers whenever possible.
“Preservation of these important places does not mean stopping progress,” PAC SJ stated in a report on its website. “It means making informed decisions and investments to ensure that this inevitable change doesn’t needlessly erase important layers of our history and identity.”
PAC SJ has also filed lawsuits in attempts to halt the development of a hotel tower in downtown San Jose and a tech campus a few blocks away. The Preservation Group took both lawsuits to the state Courts of Appeal but lost in each instance.
“A more apt descriptor is the litigate 8,” said Bob Staedler, principal executive with Silicon Valley Synergy, a land-use consultancy, referring to the lawsuits that the group has pursued.
PAC SJ officials believe the activist group is working to preserve historical sites cooperatively.
“I think those who criticize our work really don’t know how hard we work at helping the City we love and those who seek to develop here to be successful while retaining elements of our history that distinguish us in a good way,” Sodergren said.
Staedler, however, does believe PAC SJ has taken a not-in-my-backyard, or NIMBY anti-growth stance too often.
“PAC SJ has a history of being obstructionist and suing property owners,” Staedler said.
