"A few years ago, I had a conversation with the late Chris Esparza about La Placita, an expansion of the Mexican Heritage Plaza that had become his passion project. As an event producer, he knew that each time an awesome event was held at the East San Jose venue, the specter of gentrification creeped in a little more. It was important, he told me, to make sure that events and future development helped the people in the Alum Rock neighborhood instead of pushing them out."
"It was refreshing to see foundations and elected officials line up to support the project in what's long been a neglected part of San Jose. The capital campaign brought in $6 million from the Knight Foundation, $3 million from the City of San Jose and $2 million in state funding, secured by state Sen. Dave Cortese. Other funders included Santa Clara County, the Packard Foundation, the Hewlett Foundation and the Castellano Family Foundation."
"He would have been smiling Thursday when construction officially started on the $30 million, 28,000 square-foot cultural hub on Alum Rock Avenue across the street from the Mexican Heritage Plaza. "La Placita will not only transform a long-vacant site in East San Jose - it will create a permanent home for arts, small business, and community life. This is what equitable, community-centered development looks like," said Jessica Paz-Cedillos, executive director of the School of Arts and Culture at the Mexican Heritage Plaza."
La Placita is a $30 million, 28,000 square-foot cultural hub under construction on Alum Rock Avenue across from the Mexican Heritage Plaza in East San Jose. The facility will house a black box theater, a cafe, and a wellness health clinic, revitalizing a building vacant for more than a decade. The project received major funding from the Knight Foundation, the City of San Jose, state funding secured by state Sen. Dave Cortese, Santa Clara County, the Packard Foundation, and the Hewlett Foundation. Plans for a La Avenida Cultural District include affordable housing and expanded space for businesses and cultural activities. Project leaders emphasize equitable, community-centered development that benefits long-time residents and mitigates gentrification risks.
Read at The Mercury News
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