San Jose has exercised its power to fine owners of blighted properties, but they are now boosting fines to as high as $10,000 per day, saying previous fines weren’t strong enough to prompt action.
The old church in downtown San Jose, across from St. James Park, is actually what started the city’s conversation about chronic blight. It’s owned by a Chinese investment company, and there hasn’t been much of an effort in terms of rehabilitation, redevelopment, or even selling the property.
That’s why the city is now saying increased fines could force property owners to finally clean up their act…