Posted by Jessie Woodyard on Fri, Mar 05, 2010 @ 12:04 PM
Article Contributed By: Justin Vorhees
New developments can bring much positive change to a community, as is true for the proposed Aptos Village in Aptos, 
CA. The plan calls for taking the existing Aptos Village, as well as the empty dirt lot that surrounds it, and developing them into a quaint yet bustling town center that will serve as a wonderful meeting place for all of those who call Aptos home. It will bring a true downtown and homey feel to what is now a few shops and restaurants along a windy road. It also means mountain bike jumpers will get an opportunity for a new, permanent mountain bike jump park.
One of the dirt lots that will become part of the Aptos Village is currently home to some of the most famous Mountain Bike jumps in the world. Who would have thought that a small town like Aptos could be home to such world renowned talent? The fact is 
that the Aptos Post Office Dirt Jumps have been the breeding ground for nearly 20 top professionals. There are constantly articles on mountain bike websites about these famous jumps and the riders who call them home, as well as those who travel from all corners of the globe just for the chance to ride them.
What has made the jumps so amazing is the uncanny work ethic of the locals. There is a strict" No Dig No Ride" policy in effect meaning if you want to ride these magnificent dirt sculptures, you must help build or maintain them.
The work ethic and passion of riders who follow strict to "No Dig No Ride" is what will keep Aptos famous for jumps. There is a dirt lot nearly a few hundred yards away from the existing lot (soon to be developed) that is slated for a skate park or other progressive activities - even the potential of a Dirt Jump park. 
I have talked with the local jumpers about this, and while they are sad that all their hard work will be gone, they realize they are lucky to have had it for so long and look forward to the opportunity to start from scratch and build something even better. And thanks to photographers like Justin Brantley, the whole world will watch the evolution of the new Dirt Jump mecca.
If you want to see the mountain bike park in action, check out this YouTube link. Click Here You can see the long, narrow 1-story building that is also part of the development site. This building is The Apple Barn which will be re-used in the Aptos Village plan.
If you'd like to learn more, contact Justin Vorhees @ jvorhees@barryswensonbuilder.com or 831-475-7100
Posted by Jessie Woodyard on Wed, Mar 03, 2010 @ 04:59 PM
The San Jose Market Center is getting some new retail faces. The shopping center, known by some as the "Coleman Plaza", 
"Coleman Center", "The New Target Center", " The Trader Joe's Mall" or I've even heard it commonly refeered to as "That Strip Mall Over There By Target" - well, whatever you might call it, the Market Center is getting at least two new tenants in the next few months.
The Pasta Market is moving into the old Asqew Grillspace, immediately next to Game Stop. Right now there's a sign up and blacked out windows which would indicate construction activities, but not a lot of movement. According to the Redevelopment Agency of San Jose, it's set to open it's doors sometime in this first quarter.
There is another Pasta Market location in Sunnyvale just off of El Camino Real. It's a great place for some inexpensive, good Italian food. There's no oth
er Italian restaurant near-by the San Jose Market Center so it shouldn't have too many other competitors. Hopefully it has a better run than Asqew Grill.
The other new retail opening will be Panda Express. The new Chinese restaurant is in the space next to the European Wax center. The windows are black, but there is a "Coming Soon - Panda Express" sign on the outside. 
One of our readers was kind enough, however, to submit a sneak-peak photo of the interior. Our reader discovered that the space is pretty small, only about 2,000 square feet and it's a very cold shell at the moment. Give it about ten more weeks until Panda Express's doors will open.
If you have any other tips or photos, we're always looking for more inside info. Contact Jessie at jwoodyard@barryswensonbuilder.com
Posted by Josh Burroughs on Wed, Feb 24, 2010 @ 01:24 AM
A new twist has been added to the massive parking structure at San Jose's Mineta International Airport. Besides the expansive "waving hands" artwork covering the exterior of the structure, get ready for a roof full of solar panels!
Rosendin Electric was officially awarded the $6M contract to install over 4700 solar panels across the 4-acre roof!
Due to plunging construction costs over the last year, the project was so far under budget, that they had the ability to add back in the solar project which will provide power for roughly 20% of the yearly power of the gigantic garage (1 MegaWatt!)
I was a little surprised at the panel supplier they chose for the project, CanadianSolar out of Ontario, Canada (mainly because I had not heard of them prior), but in any case this is a step in the right direction for new projects in the Bay Area.
I think we are all in agreement that retrofitting existing buildings to be more sustainable is key, but 'new' projects need to take a special look at how to reduce the property's carbon footprint, and I think that this is a step in the right direction for San Jose.
Here's a link to CanadaSolar's website: >click here and check it out!
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When looking to retrofit your building or design your project to the highest sustainable standards, call us today and setup your free consultation with one of our LEED AP Staff! >Click Here for more information!
Posted by Jessie Thielen on Thu, Feb 11, 2010 @ 12:20 PM
This morning (2/10/2010) the Santa Cruz County Planning Commission unanimously approved the County led updating of the Aptos Village Plan. This approval marks the first step in the approval process with an impending hearing date with the Board of Supervisors on February 23rd, 2010 at 1:30pm at the Board of Supervisors Chambers on the 5th floor of 701 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz, CA.
There were between 20 and 30 speakers from the community that commented on the plan. The majority of speakers favored the plan. Discussion ranged from concerns about existing traffic issues within the Village, parking, potholes in the existing street scape, concern about existing vacancy rates in commercial buildings in the area to concerns from the community on whether or not the park planned for future dedication would be a skate or bicycle jump park.
Property Owner and Developer Barry Swenson Builder was very satisfied with the results of the hearing and looks forward to moving the mixed use project forward toward eventual PUD approval after which the owner will be able to break ground on this infill project. Barry Swenson Builder envisions the site upon full build out with local serving retail and office space to complement the planned housing units surrounding a village green at the heart of the community.
Today’s approval sets a positive momentum moving toward Board of Supervisor hearing in late February.
For more information and updates on the Aptos Village Project, please contact Jessie - jthielen@barryswensonbuilder.com
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Posted by Jessie Woodyard on Tue, Feb 09, 2010 @ 01:23 PM
The Big Top is back at 737 N. San Pedro St (the corner of Taylor Street, immediately by Hwy 87 on-ramp). Cirque du Soleil 
presents Ovo, a spectacular show based on the life of bugs that are disrupted when a gigantic egg appears in their home. It reminds me of the soda can that reeked havoc in The Gods Must Be Crazy expect in Ovo, the mysterious soda can is this egg that draws mystery and is a host to an array of surprises.
From February 4 - March 7, the Silicon Valley Business Journal reports over 135,000 people will attend Ovo. For a concrete lot that typically sits vacant or at best holds San Jose employee vehicles, having Cirque for a few weeks is not a bad use. But as any real estate professional might ponder, is it the "highest and best use" for a vacant 4.85 acre San Jose lot?
Using recent San Jose land comparisons, the lot could be valued at approximately $100 per square foot, or a translated value around $21m. It sits in a prime location with easy freeway access, sits about 300 yards away from the nearest light rail stop and is less than a mile from Downtown San Jose condos. For a mixed use residential or commercial project, the size and shape is close to ideal; it is a near rectangle and with nearly 5 acres to develop; the potential added value is huge.
It's hard to argue with Steven
Brewster though, the City's economic development officer who estimates $20.5m is injected revenue directly from the show's 7 week run.
The San Jose lot is a unique case. For the majority of the year, it's used as an overflow parking lot but in the 50 or so days Cirque du Soleil is in town, a $20.5m revenue injection is not all bad and makes up for the 315 days it sits drastically underused. 
Don't we all wish we were the lucky owners of that 4.85 acres....
Posted by Jessie Woodyard on Wed, Feb 03, 2010 @ 01:06 PM
There is a serious possibility of a new Apple store coming to downtown Palo Alto. The current store located at 451 University Ave - the heart of Downtown Palo Alto. It's hard to imagine it getting much more up-front-and-center than that but indeed, there is talk of retrofitting the old Z Gallerie space located at 340 University Ave., right next to Longs Drug and across the street from the popular restaurant Joya.
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson are the lead architects and if they are doing anything like what they've designed in the past, Palo Alto is in for a real treat.
You might have seen pictures of Bohlin's Apple store in New York City. If not, I've imbedded a few pictures below. Talk about infill, this store is perhaps the most creative use of sidewalk I've ever seen.
32' x 32' glass box that sits at the entrance of The GM Building mimicking the glass pyramid outside the Louve in Paris. 
Is this what Palo Alto is in store for?
Well, if they do take 340 University, the space will be about 10,700 square feet (50% larger than the store down the street).
Rumor has it, the new store's façade would be completely transparent up to about 25'; sidewalks meets Apple store.
There will be 2 new skylights installed- approximately 12' x 77' and 27' x 39'. 3 trees would be planted in the rear of the building just below one of these skylights. 27 LEED points could be achieved which would allow for a LEED Certificate.
The building is currently boarded up with little activity to note. Come this time next year though, we might be looking at something very different. We might be looking at "Before" and "After" pictures.
Want updates? Barry Swenson Builder is tracking Apple's progress and we'll be happy to keep you in the loop. Email: jwoodyard@barryswensonbuilder.com to keep in touch.
Posted by Josh Burroughs on Sun, Jan 17, 2010 @ 11:39 PM
Released on January 12, 2010 by Governor Schwarzenegger's Office: the building standards commission unanimously passed the mandatory green building code, CALGREEN, effective Jan. 1, 2011 for all new buildings in the state.
The code is aimed to help meet the goals of curbing global warming and achieving 33 percent renewable energy by 2020 and promotes the development of more sustainable communities by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency in every new home, office building or public structure.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOUR DEVELOPMENT?
1. Must reduce water consumption by 20%
2. Must divert 50% of construction waste from landfills and install low pollutant-emitting materials.
3. Requires separate water meters for non-residential buildings' indoor and outdoor water use.
4. Mandatory moisture-sensing irrigation systems for larger landscape projects.
5. Mandatory inspections of energy systems for buildings over 10k Square Feet.
BENEFITS:
- Reduction in California Green house gas emissions by 3 Million metric tons by 2020 (estimated)
- Ability for property owners to label their buildings CALGREEN compliant, without using costly 3rd party certification programs
For more information on the program visit the standards commission website at: http://www.bsc.ca.gov/default.htm
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Posted by Josh Burroughs on Sun, Jan 17, 2010 @ 10:52 PM
I read a recent article in the San Jose Mercury News showcasing the newly installed wind turbines at Adobe's headquarters in Downtown San Jose. Mariah Power's Windspire technology is yet another great example of unique ways to generate power for your business, while delivering it in an affordable, attractive, and ultra-quiet scenario.
The Windspire technology is lauded as the most affordable energy appliance in the 1 kilowatt range.
A 30% federal tax credit (available in the USA) and local rebates are available in some areas. The average payback is under 10 years.
Aside from being virtually inaudible, the 650lb devices are made in the US using 69% recycled materials, and have a 20 year lifespan with a zero maintenance policy. I'm hoping to see more technologies like this placed in the urban environment, whether in applications like the Adobe Systems towers, or at hotels, resorts, and even your backyard to power your house!
Each 1.2 kW unit is designed to produce 2000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year in 12 mph average winds; an average U.S. home uses 8,000 to 10,000 kilowatt hours per year.
Typical installed cost is $9,000 to $12,000 for each, before rebates and tax credits for renewable energy, according to Mariah Power"s Website.
For more information on the technology visit Mariah's website at: http://www.mariahpower.com/windspire-overview.aspx
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For more information on ways to design energy saving technologies into your next project, contact Jeff Current at jcurrent@barryswensonbuilder.com . Our talented LEED AP staff can walk you through the process from start to finish!
Posted by Josh Burroughs on Tue, Dec 29, 2009 @ 04:55 PM
It has been a very busy December indeed.
1. Moffett Towers, next to Moffett Field in Sunnyvale, landed its first tenant, Rambus, who will be taking down 125k SF.
2. Facebook expanded in Palo Alto by subleasing an extra 265k SF including the 135k SF building pictured below.
3. Harmonic made the last big move of the year taking down 188k SF at 4300 N. 1st Street in San Jose, formerly owned by Cisco Systems. Below are their lease terms:
It's going to be interesting to see how 2010 will pan out, but I'm hoping that the Bay Area will continue to be a drawing point for innovative companies, and that our cumulative office space will fill up with these leading firms.
What are your predictions for 2010?
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Click here to learn about new office space for lease in San Jose and the surrounding Bay Area.
Posted by Josh Burroughs on Tue, Dec 29, 2009 @ 03:45 PM
I was reading the other day that TransForm, an advocate for smart public transportation and walkable communities, just awarded its first-ever GreenTRIP certification to a new development in San Jose called The Ohlone. That's because The Ohlone development will keep the number of new parking spaces as low as possible and offer
incentives for new tenants to drive less. Here's a quick link to
The Ohlone Project website.
Formerly TALC (the Transportation and Land Use Coalition), Transform advocates programs and projects such as green communities, safe routes to schools, smart growth, and innovative public transportation options.
When it comes to green building, how people get to a building is just as important as what that building is made of. They want GreenTRIP to become the gold standard for low-traffic development.
Click
here to learn more about their program, and if you know of a project, it's simple to apply for a certification!
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To learn more about sustainable building practices and green construction techniques for your next project, e-mail Jeff Current at jcurrent@barryswensonbuilder.com today to see how your project can reach maximum efficiency.