This project was discussed at the Historic Landmarks Commission in 2005.
Barry Swenson Builder has taken over the parcel of land bounded by N First, Julian, N Second and St. James, and they seem to have big plans for it. They talked about rehabilitating the First Church of Christ Scientist in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and exploring possible reuses for the property. The First Church has stood empty for 30 years, and we are passionately concerned to ensure that it is reused well.
The parcel under discussion, viewed from St. James’ Park.
Now for the downside. The City Council and the Redevelopment Agency want this parcel to be used for high-density housing, and have imposed a lower limit of 150 housing units for the site. Consequently, the conceptual designs created by the Steinberg Group include two high-rise housing towers, one of which will entail the demolition of the historic Letcher’s Garage at the corner of First and St. James.
The Steinberg Group’s conceptual proposal for the block.
Also known as the Oasis building, Letcher’s Garage was built in 1906 as the first building on San José’s long-gone auto row. Though Letcher’s has been extensively remodeled on the outside, it has a number of interesting architectural features. It contains one of the earliest examples of expansive wood roof trusses, and still has the original segmented arched windows with large steel fire shutters in the east wall. Letcher’s Garage is a contributing structure to the St. James’ National Register Historic District, and we would hate to see it torn down.
Letcher's Garage c. 1914
PAC*SJ will work closely with Barry Swenson Builder to recommend design modifications for the site, and adaptive reuses for both the First Church and Letcher’s Garage. However the First Church is used, we would like the public to be able to see inside it; and we would like to see Letcher’s reused as a museum or for retail use.
HELP US INFLUENCE THE PLANS FOR THIS SITE BY CALLING (408) 998-8105!