Sleepy San Jose Neighborhood Takes Stand Against Sports Complex

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- Plans to bring a wildly popular golf driving range to the South Bay with a 40-acre development has some Alviso neighbors "tee'd off."

The high-end sports entertainment complex being proposed by Texas-based company Topgolf would be built along North First Street.

But it's not all fun and games for the people who live nearby. Many are protesting the new development.

Right now, Alviso is still as homey and as friendly as ever.

But just as the weeds and the years are overtaking the old cannery buildings here, residents worry the slow march of progress in Alviso is about to change to hyper-speed.

"It's going to change Alviso for the rest of our lives," explained resident Richard Santos.

The complex proposed by the sports entertainment chain Topgolf would bring the mixture of a high-tech driving range and nightclub, plus restaurants, a hotel and several shops.

The location is across from a row of Portuguese and Latino mom-and-pop stores that have been here for decades.

Santos, who grew up in Alviso, said he is willing to work with the developer to shape the project to fit in.

But he has a long list of concerns.

"Besides the things like environmental damage, flood prevention, and water runoff, this is a sleepy little town, Santos said. We don't want bright lights, noise and thousands of people."

Neighbor Santokh Dehal lives across the street worries that it will bring drugs and crime.

"People come for fun and things like that, but there are certain other activities going on too," Dehal.

But there's no mistaking the changes are already taking place.

High-tech office complexes and hotels are moving in, getting closer to old Alviso every year.

And nearby office workers -- not locals -- fill up the mom-and-pop stores during lunch time.

The project is still in the early stages and won't go before the planning commission in the fall, so there is still plenty of time for neighbors and developers to reach a compromise.