""There is a substantial amount of debris," Rogelio Ruiz, district legal counsel, said at the meeting. "There are tall standing structures that are burned out that are leaning. There is asbestos contained in building materials ... and potentially some lead as well. All of these materials are in a very tight and close community, and of course, in proximity to the classrooms (at Renaissance Academy at Mathson).""
""We failed this community in so many ways already," Trustee Corina Herrera-Loera told San José Spotlight, adding she was speaking for herself and not the board. "We must clean that up as soon as possible so our community can have a clean space and hopefully one day rebuild so our community can enjoy it again.""
The vacant former Mexican American Community Services Agency (MACSA) youth center in East San Jose was gutted by a fire. The Alum Rock Union School District, owner of the property, convened an emergency meeting to authorize assessment of remediation and potential demolition. The San Jose Fire Department is investigating the cause. District legal counsel Rogelio Ruiz reported substantial debris, leaning burned structures, asbestos in building materials, and potential lead near nearby classrooms. The board approved an emergency designation to bypass the two-month bidding process, pending county superintendent approval. Structural engineers are expected on site. Local advocates and community groups seek cleanup and future rebuilding.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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