(L-R) Gregory Baumann, Elizabeth Chien-Hale, SJ Mayor Matt Mahan, Councilmember Omar Torres during the press conference on raising fines for owners of landmarks in San Jose, Calif. on Aug. 24, 2023 (Prachi Singh/Bay City News)

AS PART OF CONTINUING EFFORTS by the city of San Jose to hold negligent property owners accountable and clean up the city, Mayor Matt Mahan, joined by City Councilmember Omar Torres and local leaders, announced Thursday further action by increasing fines for neglectful owners of landmarks in the city. 

“Behind me is a symbol of negligence that will no longer be tolerated,” Mahan said, standing in front of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, covered in scaffolding and tarps, in downtown San Jose. “What is a beautiful historic landmark has become an eyesore that’s standing in the way of quality of life for our residents, tourism, the vibrancy of our downtown, success of our small businesses.”

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Prachi is a Dow Jones News Fund intern at Bay City News. She is a journalism graduate from University of Southern California. She previously worked at Annenberg Media as a Multimedia Journalist and the Managing Editor. Prachi has covered social justice, climate and human interest stories. She is interested in written and visual storytelling.