Now that the Mercury News has put its sprawling—and largely empty—longtime suburban newspaper headquarters on Interstate 880 up for sale, there’s much speculation over where the newspaper will land. Santa Clara County, which owns the old San Jose City Hall building downtown (pictured, and abandoned by the city in 2005), wants the Merc to consider moving the bulk of its editorial staffers there. Publisher Mac Tully is noncommittal, saying the paper will weigh the possibilities, the Mercury News says.When the paper does relocate, it will be more like a diaspora than a move. Printing and production are going to Concord and Hayward. Copy desk functions are already in Walnut Creek. As for reporters and hands-on editors—they’re harder to farm out.
