SAN JOSE — A regional transit agency is hoping to aid the fight against blight in downtown San Jose through the demolition of a building near the site of a key proposed rail station.

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has begun the demolition of a building on North First Street between West Santa Clara Street and West St. John Street near the future entrance of a proposed BART station in downtown San Jose.

The VTA owns the building along with several other parcels on the block, which is bounded by North First Street, West Santa Clara Street, North Market Street, and West St. John Street. Stacey Hendler Ross, a VTA spokesperson, said the North First Street building is part of the BART Silicon Valley Phase 2 project.

“That block will eventually be used for construction stagin

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