"La Placita will transform a neglected 28,000-square-foot commercial building across from Mexican Heritage Plaza. The space will be rebuilt into a cultural community hub with a theater, cafe and family wellness center operated by Gardner Health Services. The School of Arts and Culture raised $30 million through multiple partners. Final funding closed on Dec. 23. The project, slated for completion January 2027, will provide accessible creative space, healthy meals and affordable health care."
"Getting there proved challenging. After raising about $10.2 million to buy the property and $20 million for tenant improvements from the city, county and state, along with a $6 million investment from the Knight Foundation, the project was fully funded - until it wasn't. The project had $3 million in federal funding earmarked, but it was terminated due to federal cuts - and rising construction costs created a $5 million gap. But Paz-Cedillos wasn't deterred."
East San Jose will gain La Placita, a rebuilt 28,000-square-foot commercial building across from Mexican Heritage Plaza that will house a theater, cafe and a family wellness center operated by Gardner Health Services. The School of Arts and Culture raised $30 million through multiple partners and closed final funding on Dec. 23. The project is slated for completion in January 2027 and will provide accessible creative space, healthy meals and affordable health care. The project originated as a vision of Chris Esparza and Jessica Paz-Cedillos. Funding combined public, philanthropic and tax-credit financing to close gaps caused by federal cuts and rising costs.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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