Tropicana Center Persists and Thrives in the Heart of Eastside San Jose

Community activists marching to support the Tropicana Center.

The business owners of Tropicana Center in San Jose were going through some rough times back in the 2002. San Jose City Council members back then had the desire to demolish Tropicana, located at the popular Story and King crossing, at the heart of Hispanic consumerism. The Council approved their dreadful plan of "renovating" the center, presented by the urban development agency, the local executor, which meant, in other words, the expropriation of the property. Nine of eleven Council members voted in favor of the agency, among them, Nora Campos, current District 5 representative, and former Mayor Ron Gonzales.

The proposal aimed at shutting down 60 businesses that would have eliminated 400 jobs. Nobody denied that Tropicana needed a remodeling, but not a demolishing. The $75 million plan of the politicians, from which $50 million would be subsidized, was the plan of their favorite contractor, Blake Hunt.

The collaboration plan from the Tropicana business-owners would cost $9 million, and not a job would be lost.

Politicians however were deaf to the complaints and would not yield; they wanted to bring Tropicana down and give way to corporate giants.

They wanted to replace Mexican tacos with Taco Bell, the quaint Latin coffee place with a Starbucks, the natural fruit-juice place with a Jamba Juice.

San Jose City Council was using the law of eminent domain as grounds for demolition. This law established that when a determined zone is deemed deteriorated or needs to give way to improve transit, the government has therefore the right to take private property at fair market value for city improvement. Business owners fought back successfully, however; Tropicana stood strong. That led to the opening of La Placita located on its grounds. Business owners celebrated with those who stood with them during those times.

"Only Pat Dando and current Mayor Chuck Reed were with us. We fought for six years against politicians' abuse. The fact that Tropicana was never demolished, that we never stopped to fight, is a triumph for all San Jose and its people," said José Mendoza, owner of San Jose Men's Wear, one of many who fought, who marched with his family and friends.

Denis Fong

Dennis Fong, owner of La Placita, said that he can finally breathe calmly because there is justice in this country. He said, "If you fight for what you want and do not let fear and politicians defeat you, I believe in the American dream. I believe in justice because we fought against San Jose City Council and we won.

"Now, it is important to participate in the elections. The best way to be heard by our politicians is through our vote. We need to know who we are voting for, who is representing us."

Pat Dando, President and CEO of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, said, "We cannot allow any government, local or not, to appropriate property to which they have no rights. Tropicana is a clear example of fight and triumph against abusive people who want to take over something that doesn't belong to them.

María del Carmen Gutierrez, client and nearby neighbor, said, "To fight for your rights is great. It's important to recognize people like José Mendoza, Rudy Coronado, heroes of those times of fight, when they rallied with their families and attended meetings. Sometimes people doubted they could defeat the City of San Jose, even City Council member Campos who represents the area wanted to bring down Tropicana. She, being a Latina, was against Latinos." Despite the significant political opposition at the time, the community of the Tropicana Center remains stronger than ever.