The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) and the City of San José announced today an agreement that will infuse $600,000 in federal and state funds into San José’s historic Diridon Station. This station area planning agreement ensures a collaborative effort between local and regional transportation partners to develop new, intermodal transportation opportunities for the region and encourage transit-oriented development and smart growth policies surrounding the station in San José.
“Our Diridon Station Area Plan envisions a vibrant and urban mixed-use setting that serves as a regional hub of jobs, housing, transportation and entertainment,” said San José Mayor Sam Liccardo. “I thank High-Speed Rail for investing in the implementation of the City’s vision for this area, and look forward to working with them and stakeholders throughout the community to create a world-class destination in and around Diridon Station.”
Located on the west side of downtown San José, Diridon Station today serves as a major transit hub for Caltrain, Amtrak’s Coast Starlight service, Altamont Commuter Express (ACE), the Capitol Corridor (Amtrak), the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (VTA) light rail and bus service, and Union Pacific. Future plans include high-speed rail services and a future BART extension. Previous station planning has resulted in the development of the Diridon Station Area Plan.
The Diridon Station Area Plan lays the groundwork for high-density, transit-oriented development surrounding the station. Through this agreement, the City of San José is receiving $400,000 in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment (ARRA) funds and an additional $200,000 of state funds to advance the Diridon Station Area Plan process.
“This agreement will provide vital connections and development opportunities that will ensure that the high-speed rail station in San José becomes one of the major transportation hubs in the Bay Area,” said Board Chair Dan Richard. “This station will deliver passengers from the Central Valley and Southern California to the heart of the Silicon Valley and will provide new economic opportunities and improve mobility.”
The Authority provides station-area funds through a combination of federal and state funds to help a number of partner cities conduct planning efforts and develop conceptual designs to provide connections between high-speed rail station areas and the communities that surround them. Other partner cities that have entered into similar agreements include Merced, Fresno, Bakersfield, Gilroy, Burbank and Palmdale.
