Dec 1, 2025
Regarding: Item 25-1267
Honorable Mayor and Council,
I am grateful the City of San Jose, The Friends of the Levitt Pavilion and the Levitt Foundation have come together in this public/private partnership to transform St. James Park. Finally – a change we all can look forward to and believe in. This project has been taken more than a decade, against all odds.
The Court of Appeal recently directed the city to include language in its Historic Preservation Ordinance that clarifies the override power the city already holds regarding projects being proposed in historically designated areas. To be clear, the change in the Ordinance recommended by the City Attorney, city staff, and the Planning Commission doesn’t make it easier for developers to tear down beloved buildings.
The proposed language is consistent with how other big cities consider projects in historic districts. This is not extreme or revolutionary. The ordinance eventually would need to be updated regardless of the Levitt Pavilion.
For the good of ALL of San Jose, I urge the Council to adopt the ordinance language so work can finally get started.
Let’s build community through music. Now.
With gratitude,
Debbie Degutis
Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose Board Member
Former Managing Director of Christmas in the Park
Michael Brilliot
Board Member
Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose
December 1, 2025
Mayor Matt Mahan and Members of the San Jose City Council
Subject: Public Hearing Item Number 10.2, PP25-005: San José Municipal Code Chapter 13.48 (Historic Preservation Ordinance) text amendments.
Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council,
As a member of the Board of the Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose, I am writing to urge you to approve amendments to the City of San Jose’s Historic Preservation Ordinance that will allow for the development of a live music pavilion in St. James Park.
The Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose has worked for over a decade to bring a state of the art, live music pavilion to St. James Park, for the entire community to use and enjoy. By attracting people to free concerts, completion of this pavilion will propel the revitalization of this underused, and often neglected historic park and City Landmark District, building community connections and pride in San Jose and its downtown. The Pavilion will also support the economic vitality of downtown by bringing in an estimated $14 million in spending annually, contributing to more jobs, and thriving restaurants and small businesses.
With the signing of an agreement between the City of San Jose and Levitt Foundation this past August, amending the Historic Preservation Ordinance is the next critical piece for the completion of the Levitt Pavilion in Saint James Park. The Planning Commission’s and Historic Landmark Commission’s recommended amendments for public projects will facilitate a significant catalytic investment in this historic park, a resource that has languished for decades.
Thank you for your support.
Michael Brilliot
Board Member, Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose
Resident of the Northside Neighborhood (