Dear City Clerk Toni Taber,
I AM ADAMANTLY IN FAVOR OF THE GIFT LIGHT TOWER PROJECT!!
Sincerely,
Josephine poole
Dear Councilman Peralez,
This email is to let you know how much I urge your total support for the “Breeze of Innovation“ that is currently being proposed. As a SJSU graduate and a former business owner in Downtown San Jose for over 30 years I have been waiting to see Downtown San Jose receive the attention and recognition it so deserves. This project will certainly do that and much more.
As a former Chairman of the Board of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce and formerChairman of the Chamber’s PAC it is not often that a City has an opportunity to embrace a transformative project that will be an example to the world of the creativeness and contribution of the South Bay Area.
I look forward to working together with the committee to help fund this beautiful project and am looking forward to your approval of this design which will allow this project to move forward.
“Breeze of Innovation” will bring so much pride to our city.
Thank you for your help in this matter..
Cindy Lazares
Dear Mayor Liccardo and Fellow Council members:
I would imagine most people who come before Council usually have a purpose that speaks to their business interest. I should know because I have been one of them. What is remarkable about the Urban Confluence team is that for the past four years they been relentless in staying the course that falls outside of this intent. It is not about their business gain but rather about aCity gift that will change our skyline for years to come.
Accordingly, I ask for your support when the motion comes before you Tuesday, May 4. Your approval will allow Jon, Steve, Christine, their advisors and donors to move the project to the next level. I continue to be impressed with the way they have followed your direction over the years. It has not been always a straight line, but they are good listeners and respectively responded to your counsel and direction.
Each of you are part of the community team that has been engaged. Accordingly, we all can collectively celebrate the iconic structure better known now as “Breeze of Innovation" that will be coming to San Jose.
Thank you for your support.
David W. Henderson
President and CEO
Dear City Clerk,
My husband, Leigh Weimers, whose column ran in the San Jose Mercury News for more than 40 years, was a life-long champion and eloquent supporter of the arts, technology and innovation of Silicon Valley. During his career, he had always wanted to see a project like the Breeze of Innovation Landmark for San Jose.Because the city sprawls across so much ground, this landmark will be an excellent focal point and world-class destination.
Urban Confluence has been completely mindful of protecting the riparian corridor (including flora, fauna, and lighting) and the airport since the beginning of the project four years ago. This project is privately funded and no city funds will be used to build, operate, or maintain the project. I hope you approve of this design, allowing this project to move forward, so I and my family will be able to see Leigh's dream for a worthy landmark fulfilled.
Sincerely,
Geri Weimers
Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council:
I am writing to express my unequivocal support of Urban Confluence Silicon Valley's vision to create
an iconic landmark for the city of San Jose. Breeze of Innovation offers a magnificent addition to the
city and will reinvigorate San Jose. Every great city in the world has an iconic landmark and San
Jose as the heart of Silicon Valley certainly deserves to have a landmark to draw people not only from this country but from all over the world. The project will bring pride and economic growth to the City of San Jose without using city funds as the project will be built, operated, and maintained using private funds. We look forward to your approval of this design, allowing this project to move forward.
Sincerely,
Archana Sathaye, Ph.D
CEO & Founder Proxmal Systems, Inc.
Former Board Member: Tech Museum of Innovation, San Jose
Advisory Board Member: Sunday Friends Program, San Jose
Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council:
I support this project with great enthusiasm. Breeze of Innovation will convert Arena Green into an inclusive and welcoming urban park that will become a global landmark. It is a poetic and inclusive design that represents a “once-in-a-generation” moment to build an artistically inspired icon that will define our region visually and give a meaningful gift to all of our families, the City of San Jose, Silicon Valley, and the world. This project is privately funded and no city funds will be used to build, operate, or maintain the project. We are immensely proud of our global community that will stand and give together to ensure its success.
Sincerely,
Mike Kenyon
Subject: Council Agenda Item 7.1 Urban Confluence May 4, 2021
I strongly support the vision of Urban Confluence Silicon Valley to create a magnificent landmark for our city. Breeze of Innovation offers a unique opportunity to re-define our downtown core and help elevate San Jose to a world class City. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit many world class Cities, and they all share the fact that they feature an iconic structure, place or monument that transcends everyday life. I firmly believe that Breeze of Innovation can be San Jose’s Iconic structure. As the former CEO of Silicon Valley’s largest Engineering firm, I have studied the potential of many sites for public and private improvements. The Urban Confluence is a special place, and perfect for the Breeze of Innovation.
Now is the time to encourage the citizens of San Jose to embrace a game-changing gift to our city, our region, and the people of the world that is a physical expression of our innovation, ingenuity and integrity. This amazing project is privately funded and no city funds will be used to build, operate, or maintain the project. We look forward to your approval of this design, allowing this project to move forward. Breeze of Innovation will bring pride and economic growth to San Jose and Silicon Valley.
Sincerely,
David A LaVelle
Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council:
As millennials and young technology leaders here in the Silicon Valley my wife and I can without doubt say the Urban Confluence Silicon Valley project is paramount for our community. Breeze of Innovation gives a voice to the current and future leaders of Silicon Valley, plus recognition to the pioneers of old here in this great city!! It will be a technology landmark we will tell our kids about that will inspire curiosity, wonder and awe. This project will deepen our foundation in community strength and unity. It has the potential to be bring every race, creed, religion, political stance and identity together, hand in hand in a common purpose. The Breeze of Innovation is more than a monument, it is the idea and inspiration for our community locally and communities to the ends of the earth that anything is possible.
Sincerely,
Adam and Melanie Davis
Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council
I, Jerry Di Salvo want you to know that am in complete and unequivocal support of the Breeze of Innovation!!
I was born in San Jose in 1939 and have lived here my en re life. I remember how a can of Pet Milk was payment enough for the Saturday double feature matinee at the California theater. A nice but simple memory.
We now have a chance to give to the city a new pride, the Breeze of Innovation! Cousins will brag to cousins that they’ve seen it in San Jose.
I would ask that you give the project an “enthusiastic” favorable vote.
Gerald L. Di Salvo
Greetings Council Member Esparza,
I am writing a quick note to express my support of the Urban Confluence of Silicon Valley's - Breeze of Innovation Project. It has been very fun participating, really just observing, the process of how this all came together. Being a resident of San Jose for 61 years, as well as a global business executive - I have seen many of the world's great cities, and I can't help but compare our San Jose to them. Frankly, I have yet to visit a city I would prefer to live in other than San Jose, but being best known for Dionne Warwick's "Do you know the San Jose" does not cause one to burst with city pride. I think the "Breeze of Innovation" has an opportunity to help San Joseans have a little more pride in our city. I hope you and the council vote to approve this wonderful gift to the city.
Thank you,
Greg Yoder
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
We have been following the Urban Confluence Silicon Valley's project since it's infancy. As San Jose State University graduates, subsequent long time business owners, and current residents, we support this project with enthusiasm. Something like this is a long time coming. The opportunity to have a bold world-class destination landmark that willprovide a major enhancement to downtown San Jose and be an important catalyst for Silicon Valley culture and longterm regional economic development, must not be overlooked. This project is completely privately funded and NO city funds will be used to build, operate, or maintain the project.
We look forward to your approval of this amazing design, allowing this project to move forward. Breeze of Innovation will bring pride to San Jose and Silicon Valley.
Respectfully,
Stephen and Cheryl Caplan
Dear Honorable Mayor Liccardo,
We are writing to express our support for the Urban Confluence project with great enthusiasm! As you know, this project is privately funded and no city funds will be used to build, operate, or maintain the project. In fact, we are such strong supporters of this project that we ourselves gave a private donation to help ensure this vision becomes a reality!
The Breeze of Innovation will be a bold destination landmark that will provide a major enhancement to downtown San Jose and be an important catalyst for Silicon Valley culture and long-term regional economic development. Spectacular public spaces are at the heart of great communities around the world. It is a poetic and inclusive design that represents a “once-in-a-generation” moment to build an artistically inspired icon that will define our region visually and give a meaningful gift to all of our families, the City of San Jose, Silicon Valley, and the world.
It is important to note that Urban Confluence has been completely mindful of protecting the riparian corridor (including flora, fauna, and lighting) and the airport since the beginning of the project four years ago. It will respect our natural environment and beautify Arena Green, the urban park at the center of San Jose. Created by the people, the project plans to convert Arena Green into an urban park that welcomes children and families. We enthusiastically support Urban Confluence in their quest to help make San Jose a world-class destination, and are immensely proud of our global community that will stand and give together to ensure its success!
Sincerely,
Karen & Richard Ajluni
Dear Mayor Liccardo and City Council:
RE: Urban Confluence Silicon Valley International Open Ideas Competition Winner, “Breeze of Innovation”
As we approach city council agenda item 7.1 on May 4, we want to reiterate the following items we feel should be reinforced. For simplicity and clarity, we have listed some critical items we hope you will take into consideration.
Breeze of Innovation will convert Arena Green into an inclusive and welcoming urban park that will become a global landmark. It is a poetic design that befits the true spirt of innovation and represents a “once-in-a-generation” moment to build an artistically inspired icon that will define our region visually and give a meaningful gift to all our families, the City of San Jose, Silicon Valley, and the world.
This project is privately funded and no city funds will be used to build, operate, or maintain the project. Urban Confluence Silicon Valley has always been mindful of protecting the riparian corridor (including flora, fauna, and lighting) and the airport since the beginning of the project four years ago. We previously engaged biologists and lighting experts to recommend best practices at Arena Green, and we have followed all of their scientifically driven guidance. Detailed designs will be developed adhering to scientifically driven biological and lighting studies in all future phases of the project. All future design details of the project will be publicly reviewed as part of the mandatory EIR/CEQA process that will follow city council approval. We fully embrace the rigorous process that will protect and improve the Arena Green environment.
We have strictly followed all instructions included in the past two city council approvals.
Arena Green was selected in accordance with a site selection process mandated and approved unanimously by the city council. See May 2018 council File 18-582, Item 5.1.
The Community Competition Panel (CCP), previously referred to as the “Local Advisory Group”, was part of the selection process for the winning design. Members of the environmental community were invited and participated in the CCP and competition Jury. Urban Confluence Silicon Valley followed all instructions that were unanimously approved by the city council on March 12, 2019. See city council file 19-049, item 5.2.
Massive outreach has taken place since the formation of Urban Confluence Silicon Valley including seven community meetings held after Breeze of Innovation was selected as the competition winner by the jury. All city council offices were asked to share invitations
with their constituents to join community meetings. Urban Confluence Silicon Valley formed an “Arena Green Stakeholders” committee in June 2020. The group includes PRNS and other city staff, the Sharks, SPUR, the San Jose Downtown Association, Little Italy, the Knight Foundation, GRPC, Valley Water, Google, and others. Monthly meetings are held to make sure all stakeholders are working together for the benefit of Arena Green.
We will arrive at an equitable arrangement to reimburse the city for future staff costs spent supporting the creation of this gift. This is a gift to the citizens of San Jose. Communicating to potential large donors that we have your unanimous support is crucial to a successful outcome.
The project’s mission is genuinely one of philanthropy, community benefit, significant economic growth, and environmental sustainability. Our goal is to be your partner in creating a spectacular world-class landmark at the epicenter of our city.
Respectfully,
Jon Ball, Christine Davis, and Steve Borkenhagen
Board of Directors
San Jose Light Tower Corporation / Urban Confluence Silicon Valley
Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council:
As a resident of Santa Clara County for over 70 years, I want to add my positive vote for the “Breeze of Innovation”. I strongly support the vision of Urban Confluence Silicon Valley to create a magnificent landmark for our city. Breeze of Innovation offers a unique opportunity to re-define our downtown core. I believe it is the perfect time to encourage the people of San Jose to embrace this exceptional gift. It is a poetic and inclusive design that represents a “once-in-a-generation” moment to build an artistically inspired icon that will define our region visually and give a meaningful gift to all of our families, the City of San Jose, Silicon Valley, and the world.
This privately funded project will use absolutely no funds from the city to build, operate, or maintain the project. We look forward to your approval of this design, allowing this project to move forward. Breeze of Innovation will bring pride and economic growth to San Jose and Silicon Valley.
Sincerely,
P Michael Hunt
May 3, 2021
City of San Jose, City Council
200 East Santa Clara Street
San Jose CA 95113-1905
RE: Support for Arena Green, Breeze of Innovation
Dear Mayor Liccardo and Members of the City Council,
The San Jose Downtown Association would like to express our support for the Breeze of Innovation becoming a permanent part of our city. This bold destination landmark will be a major enhancement to Arena Green and an important destination for when visitors come to our region and ask “to see Silicon Valley.”
As a member of the Arena Green Stakeholder group, we have been part of the process to ensure transparency in the siting of this project within an important downtown public park. The Urban Confluence team have been forthright in their efforts to solicit and incorporate community feedback and have taken measures to respond to comments through seven public events and a myriad of conversations with community members for more than a year. This project from the beginning has integrated a value set to respect our environment -- specifically the Guadalupe River Park -- while also protecting the riparian corridor (flora, fauna, and lighting) with considerations of the airport as well.
While most park projects directly leverage public funding, the Breeze of Innovation will not use any city funds to build, operate, or maintain the project. With 963 submissions from 72 countries, this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment to build a project that will celebrate San Jose in the heart of our city. We would like to encourage the city council to accept the staff recommendation on this project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Scott Knies
Executive Director
From: Roland Lebrun >
Sent: Monday, May 3, 2021 5:26 PM
To: City Clerk <city.clerk@sanjoseca.gov>
Subject: Item 7.1 San Jose Tower of light
Dear Mayor Liccardo and Council,
I would like to express my STRONG SUPPORT for approving the staff recommendation to move forward with the BREEZE design as a future San Jose landmark but I would like you to also consider alternate locations (preferably south of Arena Green), visible both from Downtown and Downtown West as well as the rest of San Jose.
Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to debunk various public comments about London and Paris' light shows, including London's Ryoji Ikeda spectra and Shard building and Paris' Eiffel Tower:
Dear Dev,
I am writing you to show my support for this development being discussed tonight, The Breeze of Innovation. San Jose has nothing of note to put out to the country or the world as it stands now. We can’t count on the Sharks to bring us a Stanley Cup, we couldn’t get the Athletics to move down here. We’ve pretty much have given up on the title “Capital of Silicon Valley” as the media now shows most references of Silicon Valley as being San Francisco. Our city forefathers were near-sighted in putting an airport 2 miles north of downtown so today our skyline is (currently) slightly more impressive than Fresno.
We deserve this project. Something that has been so well thought out to show the world what we have in this valley. And Arena green is the perfect location for this monument. A monument which pays homage to the last city monument, the last time someone did something bold in downtown San Jose. This project coupled with the downtown (Google) west project, the new train station and the dozens of other proposed projects, we may finally see a destination city.
I hope that you plan on giving your support to this great step forward for San Jose.
David Manzo
May 4, 2021
Mayor Liccardo and Council
City of San Jose
200 E Santa Clara St
San Jose, CA 95113
Regarding: 5/4/21 Agenda Item 7.1 Urban Confluence Silicon Valley Design Rankings and Future Work Plan
Dear Mayor Liccardo, Vice Mayor Jones, and Councilmembers,
We hope that you will accept the staff report on the Urban Confluence Silicon Valley Project including the jury recommended rankings of the three finalists, and acceptance of Breeze of Innovation as the winning design; and approve the expected work plan for next phases of the project; and acknowledge the staff and budget resources required to move this project forward. As a candidate and advocacy based, Business focused PAC we aim to make San Jose the best city in the country to start and grow a local business. Seeking and supporting candidates for local office is just part of making this city, the best city for all of us.
It also takes something that represents all of us. It involves a sense of place, and a sense of community. We are supportive of the Urban Confluence Project Silicon Valley; that will give our city the artistic and cultural recognition it deserves here, not just in San Jose, but worldwide.
We all have an opportunity to take part, by supporting the vision and development of a new iconic landmark that will represent the intersection of modern technology, history, art, architecture, engineering, and place‐making, and as a symbol of San Jose’s and Silicon Valley’s place in the world.
Sincerely,
Tracey Enfantino
Board Chair
Business San Jose Chamber PAC
My name is Steve Snell. I first moved to San Jose in 1947 when I was 11 years old and San Jose had a population of about 90,000. After serving in the Navy for four years I attended San Jose State and then worked in radio in Lodi and Fresno. I moved back to San Jose in 1970.
Before I retired as Partner/General Manager of radio stations KBAY and KEEN/KSJ I was very active in the San Jose community. i.e. Chairman of the Board of the San Jose Symphony San Jose Rotary, San Jose CofC and many other organizations.
During all this time I was very active in supporting San Jose and trying to figure out what San Jose could do to be recognized as the great city it had become. We were always in the shadow of San Francisco. I thought, what we needed was some recognizable, monumental work of art that would be celebrated around world as representative of our incredible inventiveness. I believe Breeze of Innovation is that monument.
I hope you agree and will approve this amazing project.
Sincerely,
Steve Snell
