Friends of BAREC

Dedicated to Preserving Santa Clara's  'Mission City'  Heritage

 John Azevedo

About Friends of BAREC

Friends of BAREC was formed by Santa Clara and San Jose citizens concerned about the future of a historic piece of publicly owned property located in the city of Santa Clara. It is called BAREC (Bay Area Research and Extension Center). It is the last piece of a large 'open space' residing in the city of Santa Clara.

Members of Friends of BAREC have been trying to work with the Santa Clara City Council to preserve some of its history relating to the city's agricultural past as well as to develop the land in a way that serves the people of Santa Clara in the best possible way. Members have been working hard to collect information on BAREC's history and examples of other unique urban open space uses which would make BAREC not only meet the needs of the community but also contribute to enhancing Santa Clara's Mission City vision.

Throughout the past five years members of Friends of BAREC have diligently tried to work with the City of Santa Clara to consider alternative uses for BAREC other than the housing plan which has been the only plan presented to Santa Clara citizens. Unfortunately, the community's ideas were ignored and in June of 2007 the City Council voted to approve their housing plan in spite of its many faults.

Members of Friends of BAREC, working through the 'democratic process' initiated a 'Referendum Process' and in thirty (30) days, gathered more than 5000 signatures from Santa Clara residents asking the City Council to rescind its decision and send the plan back to Santa Clara's City Staff and Planning Department. The City Council could have accepted this 'Political Mandate' exercised by the citizens of Santa Clara, but chose not to do so. By not accepting the 'will of the people' the City Council was forced to put the issue on the ballot for the voters to choose.

Friends of BAREC has found it necessary to put together a campaign to educate the people of Santa Clara about the many reasons why Santa Clara City's voter's should reject the City's housing plan for this historic land which has ties to Santa Clara's Mission heritage and its agricultural past. Friends of BAREC is a self-funded organization that is using its own monies to fund its campaign. We are delighted to have this opportunity to tell you our story about this precious 17 acres and why we think it is worth preserving. Please browse through our website and determine for yourself whether or not you find our ideals worthy of your trust.

Tim Abney

 Michele Castro

Joe Cermac

 Denise Co

Don Cormier

Lisa M. Delgado

Sarah Doty

Dennis Dowling

 Marilyn Ferguson

 Joy Haas

 Michael Hyams

 Lisa Kealhofer

 Suzie Keels

 William Kirkpatrick

 Lauren McCutcheon

 Teresa Nemeth

 Kathleen Orlenko

 Chuck Petersen

 Marilyn Petersen

 Steven B. Sanders

 Jean Salmon

 Richard P. Santos

Helen Silveria 

 Eddie Souza

 Margot Warburton