SAN JOSE >> Several new retail sites have been proposed in a makeover of ground-floor spaces that could bring a key block of downtown San Jose back to life.

Located at 185 Park Ave., The Shops at CityView, the name of the proposed development, would feature eight retail spaces on the ground floor of an existing parking structure with spaces for 1,260 vehicles, according to documents on file with San Jose city planners.

The new retail hub would sprout on the north side of Park Avenue between Almaden Boulevard and South Market Street, stated the plans, which were submitted by Bay Area real estate firm Jay Paul Co., the site’s owner.

The Shops at CityView would total 35,000 square feet and provide multiple spots for outside dining. The development would include a corner plaza that could be utilized as an open space.

The retail proposal is part of a redevelopment of CityView Plaza that has been proposed by Jay Paul Co. The site has empty commercial spaces and the location of a structure that had embodied a brutalist style of architecture.

A long-running court battle aimed at rescuing the brutalist building culminated in the demolition of the squat structure, an empty one-time bank site.

The new retail hub is near the Center for the Performing Arts, The Tech Interactive and Plaza de Cesar Chavez. The shops would also be across the street from the 200 Park office tower, owned by an affiliate of Jay Paul Co.

Commercial real estate firm Newmark is seeking one or more tenants to lease the new office tower.

Jay Paul Co. has proposed the development of a huge office campus at the CityView Plaza site. The state of the Bay Area office market has kept plans for three office towers there on hold.