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Business leader asks city planner, Whole Foods for redesign

By Mary Gottschalk

Larry Clark, president of The Alameda Business Association, is asking the management team for the Whole Foods project proposed for The Alameda and Stockton Avenue to change the building's design to reflect the historic nature of the neighborhood.

At an Oct. 19 association meeting, Clark asked the organization to back him in his efforts. The 14 members at the meeting voted unanimously for a resolution authorizing Clark to write letters on behalf of the association to San Jose planner Erin Morris, the management of Whole Foods, architects Field Paoli and anyone else Clark deems connected to the project.

Clark, who first voiced his objections to the design at a community meeting Aug. 30, told the group that he is unhappy with the building design and the lack of response he has gotten from Whole Foods.

Clark, who owns the building at 919 The Alameda housing his Technology Credit Corp., told the group he feels the Whole Foods' design is too much like the HP Pavilion and not enough like more historic structures on The Alameda.

The 44,000-square-foot building will be single story with a 20-foot-tall interior, replacing the existing fast food drive-in, a brick building facing The Alameda and several smaller buildings facing Stockton. Outdoor seating is planned for along The Alameda. Whole Foods officials hope to open the store in 2008. This will be the first Whole Foods in San Jose.

Not everyone shares Clark's view of the proposed design.

District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager said, "Many neighbors have approached me in the community to share their excitement about Whole Foods and its innovative design. The current proposal best addresses the constraints of the site, while benefiting the prominence of the location. This store will serve as an impressive gateway to The Alameda and our neighborhoods."

Clark expressed the hope that if his concerns aren't met that association members will back him up if he protests the design before the planning commission and city council.