The Path To Downturn San Jose

From Biz Journals:

On the portion of El Camino Real known as The Alameda, pedestrians can grab a piece of highly addictive cinnamon bread, a slice of New York-style pizza, coffee — either chain or local — or a fully loaded breakfast burrito. The district offers the best in Bollywood cinema, a nearly 100-year-old candy shop and an expansive space to spend an afternoon knitting your cares away.

Much of this stands in stark contrast to The Alameda of the recent past, business owners say, when prostitution activity was routine and, save for a few mom-and-pop businesses, empty or underutilized storefronts abounded.

Now, 17 years after the city of San Jose declared The Alameda a redevelopment district, restaurants, retail and housing have combined to make the once-blighted historic area a thriving place to live and play. Business owners say the area still faces some obstacles, but it has built momentum and has a promising future.