Spruce Up San Martin - Update!

A dedicated group of passionate residents from San Martin has launched the "Spruce Up San Martin" campaign. This committee has received an initial seed grant from Valley Transportation Authority. Collaborating with the San Martin Neighborhood Association, the Master Gardener program, and local businesses such as Naturals Spa and Salon and Rocca's Market, as well as Supervisor Sylvia Arenas' team, and SCC County Roads & Airports, they have developed a plan to revitalize the traffic medians at the intersection of Monterey Road and San Martin Avenue.

The area will be improved with drought-tolerant plants and trees and a bit of hardscape, creating a welcoming focal point for bus riders, pedestrians, and drivers. With this beautification project, the committee envisions the beginning of a grass roots effort to make larger and long-range improvements to the entire Village Core which could entail streetscape improvements, building code enforcement, safety enhancements, loans for businesses to improve their properties, and much more. We have heard from those who have lived here for decades, as well as newcomers to the area, that San Martin needs a thriving neighborhood identity and the Village Core could be just that.

Imagine living and working in beautiful surroundings with thriving local businesses, safe sidewalks, and other amenities to enrich our daily lives and contribute to the local economy. This fosters a small-town atmosphere ideal for creating strong community cohesion. Residents and visitors exploring San Martin wineries, small farms, olive groves, and other local delights could have improved services and goods to support their needs.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of the SMNA and Spruce Up committee members, we secured a $15,000 grant from the VTA, affirming our vision with a potential boost to ridership that lies ahead. This marks the first time Santa Clara VTA has funded San Martin organizations to impact planning, policy, community resilience, education, engagement, and public spaces. San Martin residents should take pride in the VTA's support for this transformative project. Let this be the start of a beautiful vision plan.

Here are the remarkable outcomes we have achieved so far:

- All dead trees from two recent fires along Monterey Road have been removed.

- The damaged billboard at the CalTrain parking lot has been replaced.

- The vacant VTA lot at San Martin Ave and Depot St (across from the San Martin Market) now features a new fence, improved lighting, and initiatives to maintain a litter-free space.

- We are actively addressing graffiti, litter, and weeds on Union Pacific property, awaiting a scheduled date for action from UP.

- Establishment of Spruce Up committee to pursue grants and spearhead the grass roots effort

- Active partnerships as stated above to continue the work

- We have an approved landscape design.

As discussed in the SMNA Town Hall meetings, we have been collaborating with SCC Roads and Airport Director, Mr. Harry Freitas, and his team. We are now gathering bids from licensed and bonded companies and once our bid is approved by County Roads the actual labor may begin

- The Canary Pine tees will be removed, leaving one shade tree near the bus stop.

- The remaining shade tree will be shaped to ensure continued thriving in that location.

- The County will improve the irrigation system on the medians by establishing a drip system for new plants and trees.

- Volunteers will be recruited to assist with landscape tasks such as tilling soil, spreading mulch, planting, etc.

We hope you'll look forward to hearing regular updates from us regarding the median project and more. If you are interested in helping with the project or in joining this meaningful and worthy campaign to Spruce Up San Martin, please do not hesitate to contact SMNA at info@sanmartinneighbor.org