Santa Clara is at a crossroads.

On June 29, residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on the proposed Santa Clara Station Area Specific Plan, a vision that could reshape a significant portion of our city for generations to come. The proposal includes up to 8,300 housing units, 2.1 million square feet of office space, 1.7 million square feet of light industrial uses, retail, institutional uses, and nearly 20 acres of open space.

Combined with the housing planned for Downtown Santa Clara, these projects could contribute nearly 10,000 housing units toward meeting the City’s state-mandated Housing Element requirements.

That is no small accomplishment.

For years, California cities have struggled to balance housing demands with economic development, transportation, and quality of life. Santa Clara now has an opportunity to make meaningful progress on housing while also creating jobs and expanding its tax base.

But housing alone is not enough.

The question before us is not simply how many units we can build. The real question is what kind of city we want to create.

Will these new neighborhoods become places where people merely sleep before driving somewhere else for entertainment and recreation? Or will they become vibrant destinations where people gather, connect, and build community?

As we plan the Station Area, we should think boldly about the kinds of attractions and amenities that make a city memorable. Imagine a large old-fashioned bowling center that hosts leagues and family events. Imagine live music venues, comedy clubs, dance clubs, restaurants, and entertainment districts that give residents reasons to stay in Santa Clara rather than spending their evenings elsewhere.

The Station Area presents a unique opportunity to explore these uses. Areas closer to the airport may be particularly well suited for entertainment venues, where aircraft noise is less of a concern than it would be for residential development.

At the same time, we must recognize that the Station Area and Downtown Santa Clara should not be competing visions. They should be complementary ones.

The Station Area can become a major employment center, transit hub, residential neighborhood, and entertainment district. Downtown, meanwhile, should remain the heart and soul of Santa Clara—the center of civic life, culture, dining, community celebrations, and public gathering spaces.

For decades, residents have dreamed of a vibrant Downtown that reflects the history and character of Santa Clara. That vision remains as important today as ever. A successful Station Area should strengthen that vision, not replace it.

Done correctly, these two districts can support one another. Residents living in the Station Area can visit Downtown restaurants and events. Downtown visitors can enjoy entertainment and attractions in the Station Area. Together, they can create a more connected, dynamic city.

This is about more than meeting state housing mandates. It is about creating places that people love.

We have a chance to build housing, create jobs, expand recreation, support local businesses, and establish destinations that serve residents for decades to come.

Opportunities of this scale do not come around often.

As the planning process moves forward, I encourage residents to participate in the upcoming scoping meeting and ask an important question:

Are we simply building more square footage, or are we building a better Santa Clara?

The answer will shape our city for generations.

Join the Conversation

Santa Clara Station Area Specific Plan – Virtual Scoping Meeting

Date: Monday, June 29, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual Meeting (Zoom)

Webinar ID: 893 6667 8301

This meeting is your opportunity to tell the City what issues should be studied in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and what kind of future you want to see for Santa Clara.

Whether your priorities are housing, transportation, parks, entertainment, jobs, Downtown, or quality of life, your voice matters.

Let’s help shape a Station Area and a Downtown that work together to create a Santa Clara we can all be proud of.

Mary Odelia Costa Grizzle