By Itzel Hernandez and Yoselyn Refugio
Google’s new project in Downtown San Jose, the Google Village, has some people excited for its arrival, but others are growing increasingly worried about the effects this will bring our community.
As residents of San Jose for almost 15 years, we are aware of the living conditions here in San Jose California. One challenge our community has been facing is the rising cost of living and housing.
In my experience (Itzel) living in San Jose proposes a struggle for my family, we often find ourselves struggling with rent payments. Although we are living in a one bedroom apartment, rent is high and it's constantly raising. Having only one working person in my household, and being paid at minimum wage, makes this a constant struggle.
In my experience (Yoselyn) my family and I are constantly worrying about the amount of money in my household. My mom earns a lot of money but has a ton of bills to pay. We barely have enough money to pay for food and rent. We are lucky that the owner hasn’t raised the rent yet. But my parents are afraid that he might increase the rent in the future.
According to Mercury News, Google is planning to build 6-8 million square ft of offices and retail spaces in Downtown San Jose.
Google has recently bought off 10 acres of land in Downtown San Jose for the amount of 110 million dollars approved by the city council; the proposed location of the village will be in Downtown San Jose near the Diridon station.
The City Council districts all came to a unanimous agreement upon this decision based on what they believed were benefits to the San Jose community.
According to Cassidy Kohl representative District one, “The Google Village will bring in an increase in jobs, technology, and tax revenue for the city.”
According to Mercury News, to Google will offer upon 20,000 jobs on about 50 acres of highway 87 and the core of downtown.
Cassidy Kohl shows credence to the idea that this will change our community for the better by bringing in job opportunities .
Google’s new project in Downtown San Jose, the Google Village, has some people excited for its arrival, but others are growing increasingly worried about the effects this will bring our community.
As residents of San Jose for almost 15 years, we are aware of the living conditions here in San Jose California. One challenge our community has been facing is the rising cost of living and housing.
In my experience (Itzel) living in San Jose proposes a struggle for my family, we often find ourselves struggling with rent payments. Although we are living in a one bedroom apartment, rent is high and it's constantly raising. Having only one working person in my household, and being paid at minimum wage, makes this a constant struggle.
In my experience (Yoselyn) my family and I are constantly worrying about the amount of money in my household. My mom earns a lot of money but has a ton of bills to pay. We barely have enough money to pay for food and rent. We are lucky that the owner hasn’t raised the rent yet. But my parents are afraid that he might increase the rent in the future.
According to Mercury News, Google is planning to build 6-8 million square ft of offices and retail spaces in Downtown San Jose.
Google has recently bought off 10 acres of land in Downtown San Jose for the amount of 110 million dollars approved by the city council; the proposed location of the village will be in Downtown San Jose near the Diridon station.
The City Council districts all came to a unanimous agreement upon this decision based on what they believed were benefits to the San Jose community.
According to Cassidy Kohl representative District one, “The Google Village will bring in an increase in jobs, technology, and tax revenue for the city.”
According to Mercury News, to Google will offer upon 20,000 jobs on about 50 acres of highway 87 and the core of downtown.
Cassidy Kohl shows credence to the idea that this will change our community for the better by bringing in job opportunities .
“Google will definitely contribute to an already evolving San Jose. The company’s presence will hopefully add to increased transit opportunities, technology access for our youth, and sustainable economic growth.
Cassidy Kohl, explained why they accepted the proposal, “Google has worked with the City for years to come to an agreement that we believe is in the City’s best interest. We want to ensure San Jose is a place where new technology is welcome.”
Although it is believed this project will be beneficial for our community, there are many residents who want to avoid these effects. As residents already struggle to find a stable and affordable housing, Google's project will only worsen this issue.
Elizabeth Gonzalez, an activist for DEBUG, express worry about the actual effects this will bring our community.
Elizabeth Gonzalez worries of the many residents that will be displaced and how the makeup will change. She believes San Jose will become a tourist attraction and It will come to the expense of the diversity in our community. Thus we will see the least benefit, that’s if we are still able to afford living here.
“...With the undeniable hardships our residents are facing and the lack of stable and truly affordable housing, continuing a model that will only deepen those hardships is irresponsible of city leaders. The space that would have been open to all to enjoy and determine the possibilities of, is now up to a corporation to decide – one not connected or invested in the local community’s well being.”
Being part of opposition to the Google Village project, Elizabeth understands what many community members are fighting for.
According to Roland Li of sfchronicle.com, in the article about the Google Village project, “Dozens of residents expressed opposition, eloquent and profane, to Google’s arrival in San Jose at a public hearing preceding the vote, underscoring the tension over tech’s enormous growth in the region.”
Regarding our situations In San Jose, it seems that the Google project probably wouldn't be the best solution to our problems. We are already experiencing difficult times with house payments and this will only worsen struggles that many families, such as ours, face.
Cassidy Kohl, explained why they accepted the proposal, “Google has worked with the City for years to come to an agreement that we believe is in the City’s best interest. We want to ensure San Jose is a place where new technology is welcome.”
Although it is believed this project will be beneficial for our community, there are many residents who want to avoid these effects. As residents already struggle to find a stable and affordable housing, Google's project will only worsen this issue.
Elizabeth Gonzalez, an activist for DEBUG, express worry about the actual effects this will bring our community.
Elizabeth Gonzalez worries of the many residents that will be displaced and how the makeup will change. She believes San Jose will become a tourist attraction and It will come to the expense of the diversity in our community. Thus we will see the least benefit, that’s if we are still able to afford living here.
“...With the undeniable hardships our residents are facing and the lack of stable and truly affordable housing, continuing a model that will only deepen those hardships is irresponsible of city leaders. The space that would have been open to all to enjoy and determine the possibilities of, is now up to a corporation to decide – one not connected or invested in the local community’s well being.”
Being part of opposition to the Google Village project, Elizabeth understands what many community members are fighting for.
According to Roland Li of sfchronicle.com, in the article about the Google Village project, “Dozens of residents expressed opposition, eloquent and profane, to Google’s arrival in San Jose at a public hearing preceding the vote, underscoring the tension over tech’s enormous growth in the region.”
Regarding our situations In San Jose, it seems that the Google project probably wouldn't be the best solution to our problems. We are already experiencing difficult times with house payments and this will only worsen struggles that many families, such as ours, face.