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Mayor Patricia Mahan addressing attendees of Outlook 2008, offering her annual State of the City update.
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Outlook 2008 Panelists included Justin Bradley, Director of Energy programs of Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Bruce Klafter, Senior Director, Environmental, Health and Safety of Applied Materials, Joe Sugg, Assistant Vice President, University Operations at Santa Clara University, Don King, Executive Director, Facilities and Clinical Technology, National Facilities Services of Kaiser Permanente and John Roukema, Acting Director, Silicon Valley Power.
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Outlook 2008: Looking at Greening Santa Clara
Santa Clara’s Future is Bright
By Robert Haugh
Featuring a panel discussion on the green movement in Santa Clara and in California, Outlook 2008 on Friday, March 14 at the Santa Clara Convention Center featured several panelists discussing a myriad of issues addressing the importance of greening the area has a positive impact in the area, as well as Mayor Patricia Mahan presenting her annual State of the City update.
Focusing on Greening Santa Clara and California
“Sustainability always starts with good economics,” said Justin Bradley, Director of Energy programs of Silicon Valley Leadership Group, suggesting the main tool for sustainability is through culture and educating youth.
“Greening your business is a part of being a good corporate citizen,” said Bruce Klafter, Senior Director, Environmental, Health and Safety of Applied Materials. According to Klafter, some strategies utilized at Applied include a commitment to solar power, incorporating green products into products they manufacture for consumers, decreasing waste production and engaging employees by educating the workforce.
“Interdisciplinary education is a key to energy conservation. Making sure our future engineers and researchers understand social problems is key to building a more sustainable future.”
Speaking about education, Joe Sugg, Assistant Vice President, University Operations at Santa Clara University says, “We have a sustainability vision that our students will graduate with the tools for sustainability,” adding, “Sustainability is woven into the SCU curriculum across-the-board.”
In addition to curriculum and strong efficiency practices and utilization of carbon-free resources on-campus, SCU President Paul Locatelli recently signed the “President’s Climate Commitment” that was signed by the Presidents of over 100 Universities across the U.S.
“If you speak loudly enough, the manufacturers will listen and make the products the way you want them,” said Don King, Executive Director, Facilities and Clinical Technology, National Facilities Services of Kaiser Permanente, adding that Kaiser is always seeking at green-friendly options, including alternatives in medical supplies such as PVC IB bags.
“We believe we have a very green footprint,” said John Roukema, Acting Director, Silicon Valley Power says. Currently, 60 percent of SVP energy is derived from carbon-free sources.
The State of The City
“Our City is in a good position. We are well-poised no matter what happens in the economy,” said Mahan opening her annual State of the City update.
“We are staying on a prudent course of action in replenishing our reserve funds and are hoping to build our reserve funds to pre-recession levels … Fortunately, even with a recession coming and State budget cuts affecting Cities, our City is in a much better position than many of our neighbors and the City is on-track to meet budget expectations.”
The Future of Santa Clara
“We have many bright sports in our future,” lamented Mahan before mentioning several key developments and activities occurring within the City.
While Yahoo! Made a large purchase within City limits in 2007, Nvidia’s 150,000 square-foot purchase at San Tomas & Central, another 150,000 square-foot slated for office development on Mission Blvd., and Sobrato’s 516,000 square-feet purchase designed at of becoming their new corporate headquarters, the City ahs several new hi-tech additions.
“We are still one of lowest-cost places to do business in the Bay Area,” said Mahan,
In addition to large office developments, several new residential and mixed-use projects are moving forward, including the former Kaiser Hospital site on Kiely --- subject to a 26-acre development by Fairfield Residential, incorporating as many as 900 high-density housing units.
Santa Clara Square, a Santana Row-type development is currently under consideration at Planning Commission and is slated for development at the existing Kohl’s location at El Camino & Lawrence.
“This type of development is an effort at trying to anchor and improve El Camino. Hopefully, it would set the tone for future El Camino development,” stated Mahan.
Work also continues on plans of revitalizing Santa Clara’s Downtown at Franklin Square. Current Downtown development plans include 150,000 square-feet of retail space and 50,000 square-feet of loft housing, creating a much-needed 470 residential units.
Besides the major developments, Great America continues adding new attractions for thrill seekers, while sports aficionados welcome the San Jose Earthquakes to SCU’s Buck Shaw Stadium --- with improvements paid for and made by the Earthquakes leaving lasting improvements for SCU and City use.
“We have a lot to be proud of, a lot to be thankful for and a lot to look forward to in Santa Clara,” concluded Mahan.
