Saratoga Village Will Receive Street Upgrades By Early Summer

Saratoga Village streets will receive a face-lift as early as this summer, as part of the Village Streetscape Improvement Project.

Most of the repairs will take place at the crosswalk at Starbucks on Big Basin Way and Blaney Plaza, where the arch is in Saratoga Village, according to Saratoga Mayor Jill Hunter.

Lights will be added to the new crosswalk at Starbucks in hopes of slowing down traffic for pedestrians and the crosswalk leading to the Village Market will be repaved, according to Hunter. 

The spur road next to Starbucks will be repaved, the concrete will be stamped to blend in with the plaza and two parking spaces will be added, Hunter said. 

In addition, bollards will be placed at the beginning of the spur to close off the road during events, such as the Farmers' Market. Part of Blaney Plaza will be fenced in to deter people from walking out into the street, Hunter said.

New signs identifying directions, businesses and parking will also be displayed, including the Saratoga Historical Park and Museum.

To fund the Village Streetscape Improvement project, Saratoga received a $1.3 million grant from the Valley Transportation Authority, according Saratoga Public Works Director John Cherbone.

To meet the 10 percent local match requirement for the grant, the city will pay $256,000, according to Cherbone.

Cherbone said the city hopes to complete the majority of improvements by Thanksgiving, which also includes sidewalk repairs throughout the village in damaged areas.

Saratoga resident Lynda Pevar thinks the improved crosswalk by Starbucks is needed for pedestrian safety. 

“I think there should be flashing lights on that particular side, especially in the mornings, because it’s always congested,” she said. “I think it’s necessary to have something blinking.”

“I think people will feel safer with the new crosswalk,” Mayor Hunter said. “Safety is the major concern — it’ll make people in cars more aware that there will be people in the crosswalk.”

Editor's Note: This article was written for Saratoga Patch as part of a San Jose State University journalism class assignment. The writer welcomes your feedback, comments. Thank you.