"A day after a fire of mysterious origin destroyed large parts of the former San Jose Mexican American Community Services Agency (MACSA) youth center, the local school board voted to take steps to demolish the site. During a rare Saturday emergency meeting-announced less than 24 hours after a fire engulfed the one-time youth center -Alum Rock Union School Board trustees took the unanimous action."
"He affirmed the trustees' unanimous and sole position to explore demolition and protect nearby students from toxic debris. "The first engine noted heavy flame and smoke, with over 50% of the building already involved. By the time they were able to make access through the fence line and into the building to make sure nobody was inside, they reported that this was going to be a defensive fire,"
"In the weeks preceding the fire, the site had garnered attention from cultural advocates and elected leaders who have sought to reopen the youth center, closed since MACSA collapsed in 2016 in the wake of scandals and fund diversions from employee pension accounts. Established advocacy organizations like Silicon Valley De-Bug and the Mexican Heritage Plaza wonder why trustees appeared more focused on demolition rather than revival-or investigating the fire's cause."
A mysterious fire destroyed large parts of the former San Jose Mexican American Community Services Agency (MACSA) youth center. Alum Rock Union School Board trustees held a rare Saturday emergency meeting and unanimously voted to pursue demolition of the site to protect nearby students from potential toxic debris. The youth center has been closed since MACSA collapsed in 2016 amid scandals and pension fund diversions. Cultural advocates and elected leaders had sought to reopen the center. Organizations like Silicon Valley De-Bug and the Mexican Heritage Plaza questioned the trustees' focus on demolition rather than revival or investigating the fire's cause. San Jose Fire Battalion Chief Chris Fabiny described the blaze as defensive, with over half the building involved.
Read at San Jose Inside
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