In 2012, 1stACT Silicon Valley led a coalition of stakeholders in the transformation of Parque de los Pobaldores, formerly known as Gore Park, from a narrow and underutilized strip of grass into an "urban living room for the arts" for San Jose's South of First Arts (SoFA) district- an emerging arts and culture district with an eclectic mix of businesses and arts organizations. In addition to welcoming thousands of visitors for special events like South First Friday Art Walks and the SubZERO Festival, the Parque enables the surrounding arts organizations to extend their programming beyond the walls of their buildings and activate the entire district. With support from ArtPlace America, transformation of the 9,600 sq.ft. plaza included permanent removal of one lane of traffic between the Parque and the adjacent block of businesses, installing infrastructure to accommodate complete street closure during special events, replanting with native trees, and installing new benches fashioned from the old granite walls.

SoFA's urban plaza remains a "work in progress," and recently received an NEA Our Town grant for Phase II, which will include a much-anticipated shade sculpture by artist/designer Teddy Cruz, and additional public art. The SoFA district community is fully committed to activating the space with programming and events, through ongoing leadership and investment from local artists, event organizers, nonprofit organizations and businesses. The growing vibrancy and success of the SoFA district continues to attract new residents, restaurants and creative businesses- a neighborhood that once struggled to attract tenants, the SoFA is now near capacity, and making a significant contribution to the economic health and future of San Jose.