VTA's Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Grant Program continues to support community-led projects that strengthen neighborhoods near transit, and the latest milestone comes from a dedicated group of residents from San Martin. On December 6, local leaders, volunteers, and residents gathered for the groundbreaking of the San Martin Neighborhood Association (SMNA) Spruce Up San Martin project, which received a VTA TOC Grant in 2024.
This initiative will beautify the medians and areas surrounding the VTA bus stop along Monterey Road and San Martin Avenue, directly across from the San Martin Caltrain Station. Once complete, the area will be transformed with fresh landscaping, planting of drought-tolerant native plants, and thoughtfully designed public space improvements. Early preparatory work is underway, with project completion anticipated in Spring 2026.
The event included representatives of the San Martin Neighborhood Association, who are leading this effort. In attendance were also County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas, City of Gilroy Council Member Tom Cline, City of Morgan Hill Mayor Mark Turner, City of Morgan Hill Council Member Yvonne Martinez Beltran, and Santa Clara County Fire Department Deputy Chief Brian Glass.
TOC Grants Support Connected Communities
The VTA TOC Grant Program enables community organizations, nonprofits, and local public agencies to invest in art, public spaces, development, and policy to create stronger, more resilient neighborhoods in Santa Clara County. VTA's TOC grantees throughout the county are working to:
- Partner with VTA and local agencies, nonprofits, and community groups
- Promote mixed-use, mixed-income development near transit hubs
- Encourage walking, biking, and transit use
- Empower local communities to shape safe, thriving, and connected neighborhoods
The Spruce Up San Martin project exemplifies how these goals can take shape on the ground—through collaboration with the Santa Clara County Roads and Airports Department and local businesses, such as Naturals Spa and Rocca's Market.
By reimagining the public space along a key VTA bus stop and adjacent Caltrain corridor, the San Martin Neighborhood Association is helping set the stage for a more inviting transit experience and strengthened sense of place. Projects like this demonstrate what is possible when transit agencies and local communities work together to invest in people, places, and public space.
Building Community Across Santa Clara County
Spruce Up San Martin is just one of many initiatives made possible through VTA's TOC Grant Program. Across the county, grantees are building vibrant communities near transit, and VTA looks forward to more exciting projects in 2026.
In April, the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, a 2025 VTA TOC Grant recipient, will continue to activate Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and surrounding communities with film screenings and workshops that are accessible by transit. The festival brings people together, boosts local businesses, and highlights the power of community to change the way we see each other through film.
The Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends (SCCLFF), another 2025 grantee, is developing a curriculum for transit-themed ESL instruction. Project LiFT (Literacy For Transit) will provide Free ESL workshops and small group tutoring for immigrant parents and caregivers, encouraging families to explore public transit options.
These grantees, and many others, demonstrate how organizations can activate communities while boosting transit ridership. Explore more examples on VTA's TOC YouTube playlist.
To learn more about the TOC Grant Program and stay up to date with grantees, visit vta.org/tocgrant.
Let's Build Transit-Oriented Communities Together!