Dear Neighbor,

This week, election results were finally certified here in California. I know this election cycle felt endless for many of us and, like me, you’re hopeful that the propositions and leaders we supported will create the change we need. 

In case it wasn’t already clear, this election sent a message that voters are frustrated and want to see results. Here in California, for example, Prop 36’s more than 2-1 margin of victory was a voter revolt against the political establishment’s complacency on public safety and addiction. I heard this same frustration when I ran for mayor three years ago and committed to focusing City Hall on the basics and increasing accountability for better outcomes. 

The people of California are continuing to send the message, and we need our elected officials up and down the state, from the local level to Sacramento, to listen. Voters are telling us they want their government to focus on reducing crime, ending homelessness, cleaning up the state, and reducing our high cost of living, especially by addressing rising housing and energy prices. They are not interested in partisanship and political posturing. 

So far, I’m not sure the message has gotten through. Last week, I sat down with Elex Michaelson, host of “The Issue Is,” to talk about Sacramento’s distraction and how I’d like to see California move forward, led by pragmatic cities like San Jose. 

I hope you’ll take a moment to watch the interview and tell me what you think:

I also hope you and your loved ones have a chance to relax this holiday season, enjoy each other’s company, and celebrate your blessings. I know I’ll be taking a few days with Silvia, Nina and Luke to catch up on some of the board games and family hikes I’ve missed this year. 

Read on below to hear more about what’s happening in San Jose this month. In early January, our newsletter will recap some of our collective accomplishments in San Jose this past year and share an early preview of what we have planned for 2025. 

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a very Happy New Year to you and your family!

Sincerely,

Mayor Matt

This week, we signed an agreement with one of the most innovative companies in the world. A company that dreamed up the future of innovation on the back of a napkin at Denny’s in East Side San Jose. That company is NVIDIA.  

So many success stories here in Silicon Valley come from humble beginnings like NVIDIA’s. We are a city of dreamers, innovators and makers. We embody what the American dream can and should look like in the 21st century. 

And NVIDIA, alongside San Jose State University and the City, is making sure we remain a place where immigrants and low-income Americans can create a better life for themselves and transform the very nature of our country while doing so. 

We need to prepare this generation and the next for a changing world through workforce development centered on AI and innovation so that nobody gets left behind. 

We also need to harness AI for civic good. We need to use it to solve the problems that our communities care about most. To make us all safer, like we did by creating a network of Automatic License Plate Readers that is on track to help our police department recover $3M worth of stolen vehicles just this year. 

To make our lives smoother, by timing bus routes to reduce the wait at stoplights by 50%. To detect everything from potholes to homeless encampments, so we can identify and send out city crews to fill a pothole or offer shelter before you even have to ask.

There is so much potential in expanding our use of technology to make people’s lives better — we just saw so many examples of that at the City’s first annual GovAI summit that brought together representatives from over 200 agencies to share how we can use AI for civic good. And we can do so safely and equitably if we are committed and prepared to work together and establish the appropriate guardrails now. 

That’s what this collaboration represents. We’re preparing for the future and embracing innovation today. I want to thank NVIDIA and San Jose State University for being incredible partners in this pursuit. 

Together, we will upskill our workforce to prepare all generations in all sectors for an AI future. We will pilot new technology to solve the problems we all care about most. And we will do so safely by developing appropriate guardrails today to ensure your data and your future is protected.

Last week, we cut the ribbon on the first new residential high-rise completed in Downtown in the last five years. The Fay has already become a defining feature of San Jose’s skyline – and for good reason: it’s breathtaking! 

High-rise residential projects like this are going to be key to downtown’s future success. As amenities like restaurants, bars and cultural venues have bounced back and evening and weekend foot traffic has surged to 120% of pre-pandemic levels, we have an opportunity to convert vacant commercial buildings into residential towers and attract new residential development to fill out the downtown and create a positive cycle between more people and more great things to do. 

To support future residential development, we extended and deepened San Jose’s Downtown High-Rise Fee Waiver Program earlier this year, waiving and reducing certain city fees to help new projects pencil. This program is one of the many ways we are incentivizing investment and fostering growth in the downtown core. We have worked hard to make this program more impactful and attractive to developers, ensuring that San Jose remains a destination for projects like this one.

This month, our City Auditor gave our animal shelter 39 recommendations for how we could run it better. For you, I just have one — adopt! Through January 6th, you can head Downtown and adopt dogs, cats, and rabbits in need of a loving home! Adoption fees will also be waived for all shelter pets at this location. Learn more here.

We have a lot of work to do to ensure the animals at our shelter are receiving the best possible care. Our frontline workers and volunteers are doing their very best amidst a national shelter crisis and frankly, a failure in leadership. I’ll be watching the implementation of these recommendations closely – especially the ways in which we monitor data and track the most basic, necessary care. If I don’t see immediate improvements, I will call for new management at the shelter to ensure our staff and our animals are in the right hands.

SJ Made Winter Wonderland Market

Sunday, December 15th at 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

San Jose McEnery Convention Center, 150 W San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA 95113

Looking for last minute holiday gifts? Stop by the SJ Made Winter Wonderland Market TODAY and browse hundreds of small businesses and local artists! Learn more here. 

Enchant Christmas 

Sunday, December 15th to Sunday, December 29th

PayPal Park, 1123 Coleman Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110

Enchant Christmas is returning to San Jose with endless light mazes, a holiday village, an ice skating trail, and of course, Santa Claus himself! Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Christmas in the Park Drive Thru Light Show

Sunday, December 15th to Wednesday, January 1st

History Park, 799 Phelan Ave, San Jose, CA 95112

Experience the magic of the holiday season from the comfort of your car! Cruise through dazzling light tunnels, festive buildings, and giant candy canes all synced to your favorite holiday tunes. Your ticket purchase helps keep Christmas in the Park in Downtown free! You can learn more and purchase tickets here. 

Habitat Restoration at Lake Cunningham

Saturday, January 18th at 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Lake Cunningham Marina Parking Lot, 2305 S White Rd, San Jose, CA 95148

Start the new year with service! Join Team Mahan and Adopt-a-Park to remove invasive curly dock at Lake Cunningham and beautify the surrounding area. Learn more here.

Last week, Nina and I joined the San Jose C10 Truck Club and the San Jose Earthquakes to bring some toys and tacos to homeless families living at Evan's Lane, one of our interim housing communities operated by PATH. Every child deserves joy during the holidays and it's incredible to see so many organizations ready and willing to give back.

It’s finally time — Christmas in the Park is back at Plaza de Cesar Chavez! Come by, stroll through the park and stop at Downtown Ice to kick off the holiday season. Let me know if you spot the tree our office decorated!