Say No to Light Pollution in San Jose

An example of Light Pollution from the Reef at Night, Los Angeles: Dion Noravian

An example of Light Pollution from the Reef at Night, Los Angeles: Dion Noravian

What is happening:


The San Jose Light Tower Corporation (AKA Urban Confluence Silicon Valley) selected an illuminated structure made out of 500 20-story white rods to be “gifted” to San Jose and placed in Arena Green park in downtown. This 150 million dollar structure, intended to be an icon, will cast devastating amounts of light pollution city wide and draw birds to their death, at the confluence of the Guadalupe River and Los Gatos Creek. San Jose leaders crave the recognition that iconic structures can bring, but should our City become famous for environmental degradation and light pollution?

Why is this important:

Light pollution is no trivial matter. It disrupts biological functions in all living things, and harms ecosystems, wildlife and human health.

This 200 foot tall light generating structure will shine across the City, spill light into the confluence of waterways on the valley floor, and will be visible all the way to Mt. Hamilton and Mt. Umunhum. This light will keep residents up at night, disorient and harm birds and wildlife, and pollute our view of the night sky. It could interfere with the research function of the world-famous Lick Observatory. It can distract pilots as they land at the nearby airport.

For more information, see Opinion Letters:


Mercury News: Shani Kleinhaus and Katja Irvin - Why San Jose Should Reconsider Urban Confluence Project

San Jose Spotlight: Ada Marquez - Thanks but no thanks to the ‘gift’ of light pollution

What can you do?


Please call or write to Mayor Liccardo and San Jose City Council and tell them that you are a San Jose resident who is opposed to the light tower project (see contacts and links below).

  • The wrong structure - An imposing 200-ft tall, massive, illuminated structure will generate unacceptable, city wide, light pollution. This structure generates light pollution intentionally, by design, making it impossible to shield and protect residents, waterways, wildlife, and the dark sky from harm.

  • In the wrong place - Arena Green Park is the confluence of two important waterways, and two riparian corridors. It is also an important community gathering place. This Project would dominate our public space and harm our riparian ecosystems, birds, fish beavers, and wildlife by lighting up this sensitive environment.

  • At the wrong time - As the human and economic losses of the pandemic continue to haunt our community, San Jose should encourage investment in what people need and want - not in top-down projects.

  • The wrong symbol for San Jose - The illuminated white light rods of this structure are intended to represent Silicon Valley Tech companies. Our diverse community is not represented in this monolithic white structure that can harm us with light pollution. The promoters showed little interest in diversity, equity or inclusion.

  • Let’s help our community instead - The City should instead direct philanthropy to an environmentally sensitive project that improves our lives and represents San Jose’s culture and community.

A phone call takes 2 minutes. Find your district here.



Please contact Mayor Liccardo, the City Council and your Councilmember: