"La Placita in East San Jose's Mayfair neighborhood was one of those projects. When we acquired the long-neglected, 28,000-square-foot building three years ago, it stood as a symbol of disinvestment along the Alum Rock corridor. What we saw instead was possibility - a future cultural anchor that could hold space for arts and culture, a community health clinic and opportunities for local businesses to grow and thrive."
"It came from a question first posed by our former Director of Community Development, Chris Esparza: What would it take to acquire and activate this building for community? Chris understood something essential - that community transformation starts with imagination, but only becomes real through persistence. He knew this work would be complex, slow at times, and deeply human. His leadership set this project in motion, and his belief in what La Placita could become continues to guide us."
La Placita in East San Jose's Mayfair neighborhood was acquired after standing neglected as a symbol of disinvestment along the Alum Rock corridor. The 28,000-square-foot building was envisioned as a cultural anchor housing arts and culture, a community health clinic, and space for local businesses to grow. That vision originated from a question posed by former Director of Community Development Chris Esparza and advanced through persistent leadership. The financing and development journey required early risk, patient capital, public partnership, and adaptability as timelines and conditions shifted. Early investors and partners stayed accessible, problem-solved, and sustained engagement when answers were not immediate.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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