Introducing Santa Clara Sustainable
Dear Neighbor,

Welcome to the inaugural newsletter for Santa Clara Sustainable! Located at 90 Winchester Boulevard in Santa Clara, Santa Clara Sustainable is a game changing urban farm and mixed-income community. Together, these guiding concepts create a first-of-its-kind development that connects contemporary urban living with Santa Clara's agricultural past.

Santa Clara Sustainable's project sponsor - The Core Companies - is a real estate development and construction firm specializing in creative infill projects that deliver deep levels of affordability.

The Core team recently presented the project to the city council at a November 2016 study session, after which the formal application was made to the Planning Department and the team launched the project website, www.santaclarasustainable.com . The proposed affordable housing and open space enjoyed overwhelming and broad community support at the study session, and the council took action at a subsequent meeting to finalize its payment to the State to maintain control of the land and ensure the housing becomes a reality for those who need it.

Since the Santa Clara Sustainable concept was chosen by the city, Core has committed to robust public outreach. At the city's request, Core is evaluating alternate project configurations, including a higher density option. Core will continue its engagement with neighbors to discuss these alternatives, and will likely hold a community meeting in the first part of 2017. We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,
The Core Companies
Announcing our New Website!

Since introducing this first-of-its-kind urban farm concept nearly two years ago, Core has made public outreach and collaborative design a centerpiece of its efforts. The team met with interested neighbors, community leaders, and public officials, and held five public meetings where attendees were invited to participate in design and programming charrettes, provide feedback to site plans, and ask questions of the project team and architects.

The new website, www.santaclarasustainable.com will provide the community with background information about the project, and access to site plans, renderings, timeline updates and other crucial information.

The game changing farmland and open space will be a resource for the whole community. Core is exploring exciting partnerships to maximize the outdoor space, activate the land, and implement holistic programs to make Santa Clara Sustainable a welcoming, intergenerational space for all. Be sure to frequently check the website, sign up for e-blasts, and message our team to learn about the project and stay up-to-date on all the exciting details!

 

How Did We Get Here?

From the outset, Core has prioritized delivering key elements that will truly make Santa Clara Sustainable an intergenerational community for residents of all means and backgrounds. Core was selected by the city through an RFP in April, 2015 and began building on the community's vision for this long-underutilized land. Originally, the site was an agricultural research farm known as BAREC (Bay Area Research and Extension Center). The opportunity to revive Santa Clara's proud agricultural heritage while delivering critical below-market rate housing inspired the community's imagination and spawned collaboration. Housing and agricultural advocates sought Core's expertise to create an actionable plan for their vision, and a partnership was born.

Core has held five formal, public meetings, including neighborhood events with elected officials in November 2015 and July 2016. The community established five key priorities and, from the outset, Core has focused on advancing these principles for its neighbors:

1.    Design and stylistic preferences
2.    Maximizing open space
3.    Building height and massing
4.    Partnership and public benefits
5.    Traffic, parking and circulation

Where is Santa Clara Sustainable?

Santa Clara Sustainable is located at 90 North Winchester Boulevard in Santa Clara. Located near major VTA transit lines along Winchester Boulevard and Stevens Creek Boulevard, the project is a short transit ride or a mere 20-minute bicycle ride to the Santa Clara Senior Center, the International Swim Center, Central Park, or downtown San Jose.


  • In Santa Clara, 70% of senior households are considered to be in the low, very low, and extremely low income brackets, with half of seniors falling into the extremely low bracket.
  • Throughout Santa Clara County, nearly 30% of the population will soon be over age 60, creating a steadily rising need in the immediate term.
  • It's difficult to keep pace with the need for below-market-rate senior housing because residents often stay in their homes for 20 or more years in many cases, preferring to age in place, resulting in long waiting lists for senior housing.
  • Of Santa Clara Sustainable's 359 units, 181 will be below-market-rate, and many earmarked for seniors 62 years and older and veterans.