Food bank buys big chunk of empty land in Alviso district of San Jose

SAN JOSE Second Harvest of Silicon Valley has bought a big chunk of empty land in San Jose that is next to a choice site where the high-profile food bank aims to establish its future headquarters The nonprofit has paid million for a vacant land site near the corner of North First Street and Nortech Parkway in north San Jose s Alviso district according to documents filed on June with the Santa Clara County Recorder s Office Vacant land site in north San Jose's Alviso district located near the corner of North First Street and Nortech Parkway Google Maps The parcel is adjacent to the North First Street property where Second Harvest is progressing a new headquarters that s expected to total square feet Second Harvest bought a -acre site of undeveloped land that could provide essential flexibility in how the nonprofit operates at its anticipated headquarters complex Empty land site in north San Jose's Alviso district located near the corner of North First Street and Nortech Parkway shown within the outline Santa Clara County GIS Maps This additional space will not materially change the current building design or construction plans announced Diana Baker Hayward a spokesperson for Second Harvest Silicon Valley It offers us the flexibility to optimize our operations decrease our carbon footprint over time and flex during emergencies Second Harvest bought its future headquarters site in paying million for the North First property which is also undeveloped The food bank s plans for the additional acreage won t increase the number of employees planned for the site and won t add to the number of vehicles expected to operate at the headquarters complex The extra space improves the safe and efficient movement of trucks and food behind the building while also creating space for future sustainability investments like expanded solar maximum and fleet electrification Hayward noted These outcomes could greatly cut environmental impacts and long-term operating costs according to the food bank At one point the just-sold property was slated to become part of an entertainment district of shops restaurants hotels and open spaces that were to be anchored by the Top Golf sports and dining hub Over the years only the Top Golf component of the entertainment district has materialized The other elements have evaporated casualties of the coronavirus outbreak and the faltering prospects for hotels In the face of these and other economic challenges bureaucrats with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley foresee steady demand for the nonprofit s services and programs At a time when food insecurity remains at record levels and constituents safety net programs are increasingly at peril we are committed to long-term solutions that allow us to serve our society s growing and changing demands with greater impact efficiency and sustainability Hayward revealed