Progress Update: Levi's Stadium Mega Development

TAYLOR LAMBERT July 21, 2025

You know that massive construction site across from Levi’s Stadium that’s been sitting in limbo for what feels like forever? Well, things are finally happening! Kind of! Maybe! I hope so!

The Santa Clara City Council just voted (barely, with four yes and three no) to allow a major zoning change for the huge Santa Clara project. Nearly 100 acres originally planned for office buildings are now being rezoned for light industrial use. Think R&D labs, tech spaces, and possibly some data centers, not factories with smoke stacks.

This is part of a giant 240-acre plan to build a whole new neighborhood from scratch. That includes 1,680 homes, 800,000 square feet of retail, restaurants, and entertainment, plus a new 5 million square foot city center. Basically, Santa Clara is trying to create its own mini version of Santana Row, but bigger. And with better parking. Hopefully.

On that note, when was the last time any development was proposed or completed that wasn't promised to be "the next Santana Row" lol? That's a stale promise.

Not everyone was thrilled about the changes. Some council members wanted stronger environmental rules, especially if data centers pop up, because data centers use a lot of energy. Others were more focused on what the community actually needs, like grocery stores and restaurants. One council member pointed out that parts of Santa Clara are basically food deserts. No shade to the current establishments, but have you ever tried to find a decent taco north of 101? It ain't there. And if it is, please let me know because I'm like 1000 Jersey Mike's sandwiches over my lifetime limit right now.

The developers now have about three years to start building on the newly approved parcels. It’s taken nearly a decade to get to this point, so “soon” is relative, but hey, it’s progress. "Apparent" progress, let's call it.