Santa Clara Issues Proposal Request for Downtown Redevelopment

The city seeks a developer to transform five acres of land near Santa Clara University into a new mixed-use residential hub.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Commercial

Bold vector editorial illustration of a stylized residential development site layout with geometric building blocks, evoking urban redevelopment and city planning. — Santa Clara has released a request for proposals to transform five acres near Santa Clara University into a new, mixed-use residential downtown district. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Santa Clara has officially released a request for proposals to find a partner for a major downtown redevelopment project. The city-owned site near Santa Clara University is slated for a transition into a modern mixed-use destination.

Why it matters

The project serves as a cornerstone effort to rebuild a formal downtown area for the city, which has lacked a traditional center since the 1960s. It marks a significant milestone for advocates who have pushed for this urban transformation for a decade.

The redevelopment encompasses five acres of city-owned land at 900 and 1000 Lafayette Street. Plans require a minimum of 300 residential units with 25% of the housing designated for low-income households.

The players

Santa Clara

This city is overseeing the urban planning and solicitation process for the new downtown redevelopment project.

Santa Clara University

This major educational institution is located adjacent to the city-owned land slated for the redevelopment project.

Reclaiming Our Downtown

This local advocacy group has spent the last ten years lobbying for the rebuilding and revitalization of the downtown area.

The Hungry Hound

This local commercial tenant currently occupies a building situated on the city-owned land identified for demolition.

Frozos

This commercial business currently operates on the site that the city plans to clear for the mixed-use development.

The details

The city intends to demolish existing structures currently occupied by The Hungry Hound and Frozos to clear the path for new construction. Interested developers must participate in a mandatory conference before the city completes a nine-month selection process.

Downtown Santa Clara ceased to exist in the 1960s.
Reclaiming Our Downtown was founded in 2016.
The city released the request for proposals on October 27, 2026.
A mandatory pre-proposal conference for developers is set for November 18, 2026.
The developer selection process is estimated to conclude in July 2027.

Culture Shift

The current redevelopment effort marks the city's most concrete attempt to reverse the 1960s erasure of its downtown. This move reflects a broader societal shift toward prioritizing dense, mixed-use urban cores over the suburban-style layouts that dominated the mid-20th century.

Residents should anticipate eventual site clearing and construction activity in the vicinity of the 900 and 1000 Lafayette Street corridor. While redevelopment remains years away, the project will eventually alter the local commercial landscape near the university.

The takeaway

The project represents a long-term shift toward re-establishing an urban center for the city. Residents can track the developer selection process through July 2027 to stay informed on the timeline for this major transformation.