T
he Bo Town restaurant site in downtown San Jose has been demolished after being ravaged by multiple fires. The property, located at 409 South Second Street, was on the verge of becoming a blight and nuisance in the area. An alliance between Canada-based Westbank and San Jose-based Urban Community plans to build a housing highrise on the site.

    The partnership aims to create a mixed-use development with 540 residences and 5,500 square feet of retail space. While construction has yet to begin, the demolition is seen as an important step towards launching the project. The property owners decided to demolish the building to prevent it from becoming a public nuisance.

    Westbank executives want to activate downtown San Jose and the site itself, with plans to create temporary activities until construction begins. However, elevated interest rates and inflation have made money expensive for developers, adding to the cost of projects like this one. Despite these challenges, the demolition marks a significant milestone in the development process.

    The SoFA district, where the property is located, has been identified as a key area for growth. The city has approved Westbank's proposal for a 30-story tower, and the company is fine-tuning concepts for temporary activities to fill the site until construction starts.