San José Light Tower Saga: The Project That Refused to Listen
From its inception, the idea that San José needs a monumental, iconic landmark has struck many as outdated and out of touch. In a city that struggles to fund basic services and maintain its parks and infrastructure, the push for a massive “statement” structure felt not just misplaced—it felt tone-deaf.
For SCVBA, the original concept of resurrecting a symbolic version of the original San José Electric Light Tower at Arena Green was especially alarming. The original tower famously attracted so many birds, especially at night, that historical accounts note, “...the police on the local beat made money selling birds that collided with the tower to local restaurants.” At a time when North American bird populations are in steep decline and biodiversity faces mounting global threats, the idea of installing a massive, illuminated structure (dubbed Breeze of Innovation) in a major riparian corridor was not just ecologically irresponsible - it was outrageous.
SCVBA and other environmental groups repeatedly warned project proponents about the harmful effects of artificial light at night on human and environmental health, migratory birds, and the ecosystems of the Guadalupe River corridor. But those warnings fell on deaf ears.
The San José Light Tower Corporation, through its Urban Confluence project, chose to advance the Breeze of Innovation Project - a project that celebrated large tech companies rather than the diverse community of San José. A project that, in essence, would have functioned as a monumental generator of light pollution, in the sky above San José.
As environmental and social concerns mounted, so did logistical and financial realities. Frustration grew not just among community advocates, but also within the leadership of the Light Tower Corporation. It finally became clear to them that Breeze of Innovation was not feasible at Arena Green.
Following years of sustained community opposition, the intended project site was eventually shifted to Plaza de César Chávez. But the core problems remain. Despite spending nearly $3.3 million in donations over several years (and consuming countless hours of community advocates’ time) the San José Light Tower Corporation, and its Urban Confluence Project have little to show beyond vague statements about “reimagining” the project in collaboration with City leaders.
This month, the group reaffirmed its commitment to a “transformational landmark” at Plaza de César Chávez, but it no longer pursues the Breeze of Innovation design. Instead, they will now pivot toward “a new landmark design” stating, “It's a moment to reaffirm San José's identity - creative, diverse, resilient - and to shape something truly meaningful for future generations.”
We can only hope that this new chapter in the saga will be more responsive to the San José community - and more appreciative of the night sky. We will continue to follow this effort, firm in our belief that San José deserves public spaces that are rooted in ecological integrity, cultural sensitivity, and community needs.
Fire has been a great concern in California and our region, and cities have been working to remove vegetation (fuel) in parks and along roads. This work has removed many large trees such as eucalyptus, other trees and native shrubs. We were called to advocate for trees and avian habitat in several locations. Here are three of these advocacy efforts:
In Los Gatos, an enthusiastic fire management crew cleared brush along trails deep into the park—beyond the areas required for defensible space near homes. This work took place during peak nesting season, under the supervision of a biologist tasked with identifying no-work buffers for nesting birds and sensitive species like the dusky-footed woodrat. Unfortunately, species such as the spotted towhee, which nest in dense thickets of poison oak and other shrubs, are highly secretive and difficult to detect. We appreciate the City of Los Gatos Public Works and Parks Departments for their prompt and thoughtful response to our concerns, and we look forward to working with them to prevent similar timing conflicts in the future.
In San José, budget constraints led the Parks Department to apply herbicides for vegetation management in Alum Rock Park, resulting in damage to sensitive native plants, including a rare orchid population. In response, we joined with others in a broad public outcry, SCVBA also contacted Mayor Mahan’s office to advocate for an additional budget allocation to allow ecological land management and an end to chemical use in this important natural area. As a result, the June Budget Message includes $60,000 in ongoing funding for mechanical (non-chemical) vegetation management at Alum Rock Park.
The City’s Parks Department has also expressed interest in working with volunteers to resume ecological restoration and hand-based vegetation removal. The California Native Plant Society has collaborated with City and Park staff for many years, and we look forward to see this collaboration resume to ensure ecologically sound and community-supported stewardship of the park.
The City of San José is currently developing a Vegetation Management Plan for Alum Rock Park and the surrounding foothills to reduce wildfire risk by removing dry brush, invasive eucalyptus trees, and other fire fuels. This effort is part of a broader strategy to improve wildfire preparedness and environmental stewardship in San José’s wildland–urban interface.
Residents are encouraged to learn more and share their input at two upcoming community meetings: Wednesday, June 25 from 6:00–7:00 p.m. at Berryessa Community Center, and Saturday, June 28 from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. on Zoom. See HERE. These meetings will provide an overview of the plan and give attendees the opportunity to ask questions and help shape the future of Alum Rock Park.
The City of Palo Alto recently removed dozens of non-native eucalyptus trees from Esther Clark Nature Preserve as part of a fire risk reduction project. The work was conducted outside of the nesting season to minimize direct impacts on birds. While the removal addressed fire safety concerns, it raised concerns about long-term impacts to bird habitat, especially for species like red-shouldered hawks and Great-horned owls that rely on mature eucalyptus for roosting and nesting. Thanks to SCVBA advocacy, two large healthy eucalyptus trees were spared, and the City has committed to planting native trees to help restore habitat.
We will continue to promote fire-safe vegetation management that also supports wildlife and ecosystem health.
A lot is happening in South Santa Clara County and in San Benito County
Henry Coe: No news is good news? We continue to monitor efforts to expand Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) access in California parks. A new OHV Access Initiative Preliminary Report was recently posted on the State’s OHMVR Commission website. While the report is vague and offers no definitive statements about Henry Coe State Park, it does acknowledge public opposition to OHV use there. The report simply notes that 31 sites have been identified for further research and evaluation by State Parks. For now, we remain watchful—and hopeful—as this process unfolds.
Sargent Ranch (Juristac): Good news! the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) has purchased a significant portion (2,467 acres) of Sargent Ranch in south Santa Clara County. Combined with a previous acquisition of 1,340 acres in Santa Cruz County, POST now owns roughly two-thirds of the entire Sargent Ranch property.
For decades, SCVBA and many partner organizations have worked to protect Sargent Ranch from harmful development. Most recently, we joined a broad coalition in opposing a proposed sand quarry on the land, which provides important habitat and connectivity for wildlife, and holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Our most recent effort was in submitting a comment letter on the CEQA process addressing the quarry proposal (see our letter here).
Importantly, the parcel targeted for the quarry is not part of the POST acquisition. However, the CEQA review process for the quarry appears to have halted for now and it is not clear whether it will resume. While the broader story is still unfolding, this is a meaningful victory worth celebrating—and one that brings renewed hope.
More Good News: Monterey Corridor Planning effort has stopped. San Jose has stopped its Master planning effort for land between Monterey Road and Coyote Creek. The city has not budgeted any funding for this effort, citing fundamental disagreements between landowners' interest in development, and community advocates' (including SCVBA) interest in preserving the rural character of Coyote Valley, its natural resources and its wildlife.
Pacheco Dam: Valley Water continues to pursue the Pacheco Dam, and we remain opposed to this project in southern Santa Clara County due to its immense harm to birds and wildlife, and meager benefits. With growing public opposition, repeated project delays, and escalating costs, the California Water Commission is now questioning the project’s feasibility.
San Benito County is developing a Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan (HCP/NCCP) to guide land use while protecting endangered species. Once adopted, the plan will collect development fees to fund land acquisition and habitat restoration for at-risk wildlife. Community members are encouraged to contribute local knowledge about endangered species and their habitats. An interactive map of protected lands is available online, including the 26,000-acre Panoche Valley Preserve—secured in part through SCVBA’s advocacy and litigation. A map is available here.
SCVBA is also following and participating in the Pajaro River Watershed Resilience Program. The Program aims to 1) holistically study, plan, and manage water at a watershed scale, 2) Integrate and prioritize equity and inclusiveness, 3) Analyze climate vulnerabilities and risks and develop adaptation strategies at the defined watershed scale, 4) Plan and collaborate across water supply, flood management, groundwater, water quality, forest fire, ecosystem, and recreation sectors, and 5) Develop and apply performance indicators and metrics to measure, track, and report on outcomes at the regional and statewide level.
Please let Advocate@scvbirdalliance.org if you have an interest in these south county efforts and you are available to track and participate in meetings, or write updates and alerts.
San Jose electronic billboards:
Despite environmental concerns and strong community opposition, San José has approved several new electronic billboards in the downtown area. We opposed the proposed billboard at the Willow Street site due to its proximity to the Guadalupe River and the potential impacts on sensitive riparian habitat and wildlife. Bright, digital signage near natural corridors threatens nocturnal species and undermines efforts to restore urban biodiversity and protect waterways.
