SJ eyes compliance enforcement at troubled Vietnam Town plaza after merchant lawsuit

SAN JOSE OFFICIALS have long known about mismanagement concerns surrounding Little Saigon’s signature commercial center. They’re taking action this month after San José Spotlight’s reporting and a lawsuit by merchants showed the extent of Vietnam Town’s neglect.

The city’s Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department has ordered Vietnam Town management to remove barricades and garbage dumpsters blocking access to the plaza’s main parking garage by the end of Thursday. The garage’s closure had mystified business owners who said it needlessly choked out customer traffic, turning the plaza into a ghost town at certain parts of the day. Merchants have banded together and filed a lawsuit accusing the management organization — known as the Vietnam Town Condominium Owners Association — of ignoring grievances and wasting business improvement funds.