People for Livable and Affordable Neighborhoods, an environmental coalition, oppose Cisco's plan to transform semi-rural Coyote Valley in South San Jose into a high-tech center. So, too, do the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments and the City of Salinas, which have sued Cisco and the city to stop the project. They contend the project will take away valuable open space and drive up the cost of housing.

Cisco, attempt to quell concerns ands reassure the community of its commitment, already has agreed to set aside about 300 acres of open space, kick-down $3 million for open-space preservation and help the Greenbelt Alliance raise $96 million more for the acquisition of more public lands in the area. The pledges helped Cisco gather more than 110,000 signatures in support of the project, according to a Cisco spokesperson.

Cisco, founded in 1984 and now San Jose's largest employer, occupies more than 40 office buildings in the city. The company once threatened to take its project elsewhere but has since decided to stay, keeping it in close proximity to several universities and schools that foster a high-tech curriculum.