SJ will relocate historic Japanese farmhouse in order to save it from apartment project

SAN JOSE OFFICIALS want to save the historically significant residence once home to a Japanese community leader, farmer and survivor of World War II internment camps in California.

Preservationists pledged last week to save the North San Jose farmhouse once owned by Eiichi “Ed” Sakauye after the San Jose City Council approved 1,472 apartments and townhomes on 23 acres of land on Seely Avenue. While the Planning Commission recommended demolishing structures left on the farm last month, councilmembers decided to have the city work with preservation activists to relocate it for an estimated cost of $500,000.