SAN JOSE — A proposed center for African-American culture in San Jose has joined a prominent nonprofit housing partner in a vision to build a vibrant mixed-use development near the city’s downtown.
EAH Housing has agreed to develop the residential portion of the Silicon Valley African American Cultural Center, according to cultural hub officials.
Conceptual drawing of housing and open space next to the Silicon Valley African American Cultural Center at 2001 The Alameda in San Jose. Conceptual drawing of the Silicon Valley African American Cultural Center, open area, museum and community space at 2001 The Alameda in San Jose. Interstate 880 is also visible.
“We’re thrilled to have EAH Housing on board,” said Joanna Faris, president and CEO of the African American Cultural Center.
The housing project will consist of about 150 units, including 135 affordable housing units and 12 to 15 condominiums, according to Walter Wilson, project director for the African American Cultural Center.
Conceptual drawing of housing, open space, gathering areas and the Silicon Valley African American Cultural Center in Alameda, San Jose, 2001. Conceptual drawing of the Silicon Valley African American Cultural Center and adjacent housing in Alameda, San Jose, 2001. Conceptual drawing of the entrance area of the Silicon Valley African American Cultural Center in Alameda, San Jose, 2001.
“Having EAH as our housing partner is crucial,” Wilson said. “EAH will build the homes, acquire the financing and then manage and direct the entire housing development.”
San Rafael-based EAH Housing is a nonprofit that has developed 107 properties with more than 8,700 housing units and manages 235 properties with more than 13,000 units and more than 25,000 residents.
“EAH has a great mission and history,” Wilson said, “and they know what they’re doing. The housing placement will really help move the cultural center forward.”
The housing sector could also help in efforts to alleviate housing problems in the region.
“There’s a huge housing shortage in the Bay Area, so we need low- and moderate-income housing right now,” Faris said.
The African American Cultural Center has received significant funding from multiple sources. In August 2023, State Senator Dave Cortese announced $3 million in funding for the mixed-use development. In March 2024, U.S. Representative Ro Khanna announced $4.1 million in federal funding.
The center has raised about $30 million, including funding from two major government grants and other sources, but more money is needed.
“We need to raise another $50 million and that campaign is underway right now,” Wilson said. “We have some other pretty big grants coming up.”
In addition to housing, a variety of activities related to African-American culture will also be part of the mixed development.
“The center will serve as a hub for people to celebrate and experience the continuing contributions of African Americans in education, music, theater, dance, science, sports, business and many other aspects of American life,” a post on the cultural center’s website said.
The Silicon Valley African American Cultural Center, located at 2001 Alameda Avenue near the intersection with Interstate 880, is scheduled to break ground sometime in 2025. The center could begin operating in 2027, though those timelines are not set in stone.
According to the center’s website, “The center will include meeting rooms, banquet facilities, offices for service organizations, youth development facilities, a library, museum gallery, social service providers, family, senior and youth programs, child care facilities, retail stores and a theater/auditorium.”
While the timeline for construction to begin may be fluid, African American Cultural Center officials feel they are nearing the culmination of a decades-long undertaking to establish such an institution in San Jose.
“We’ve been patient, we’ve worked towards this and we’ve waited for our dreams to come true,” Faris said.
First published: September 25, 2024, 12:20 PM
