An unhoused man says he transformed an eyesore near a South Bay freeway only to have his improvements swept by Caltrans.
Now, that man and his 19-year-old special needs son say they’re left with next to nothing.
Miguel Maruyama set up a nativity scene for the holidays but Friday morning, it was taken down by Caltrans crews.
Maruyama said he’s lived next to this freeway with his son after losing his job and being evicted.
“I was homeless for two months already,” Maruyama said.
Maruyama said the 280 southbound on ramp area in San Jose near 7th and Virginia streets was filled with trash when he first came, so he worked to beautify it.
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“Me and my son, we cleaned the whole area. We planted a total of 130 bushes, trees, palm trees, flowers,” Maruyama said.
Along with the plants, he also brought in several birds and in October set up an ofrenda for Dia de los Muertos.