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An East San Jose youth center that burned to the ground last year has only made the community more determined to raise it from the ashes.
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The Alum Rock Union School District board of trustees on Thursday voted 4-1 to enter an exclusive negotiating agreement with SOMOS Mayfair and the School of Arts and Culture, which represent the Si Se Puede Collective, for the potential rebuilding of the former Mexican American Community Services Agency (MACSA) youth center. The agreement allows the groups 540 days to determine whether rebuilding is financially, operationally and legally feasible. This agreement is not a ground lease nor a development approval. The school district retains ownership of the property, but is not responsible for costs.
Board President Linda Chavez, who cast the lone “No” vote, said she voted against the agreement due to the current lack of resources.
“At this time, it’s a beautiful plan. But because the money right now isn’t there, it changes things,” she said at the meeting.
Trustee Corina Herrera-Loera said she has faith in the project, based upon the fundraising success of Jessica Paz-Cedillos, CEO of Mexican Heritage Plaza, who helped raise $30 million for the La Placita community development project.
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“I know we have the right leadership in place and I know that they will call on the right partnerships and funding,” Herrera-Loera said at the meeting. “Strong local partnerships can transform overlooked spaces into vibrant community assets, and I believe this can be an important investment in our students, families and future generations.”
A devastating fire ravaged MACSA in August 2025 shortly after the Si Se Puede Collective garnered support to renovate the building. Prior to the fire, the building had been vacant for about a decade.
Victor Vasquez, co-executive director of SOMOS Mayfair, said the negotiating agreement is a milestone representing hope and partnership between the school district and the community.
“This potential future development will bring the resources our children need so they can heal, so they can learn, so they can play and thrive,” he said. “More importantly, it will create opportunities and pathways for their future.”
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The community envisions recreating a community center and gym, which would provide youth programs, academic support, cultural programming, mental health services, workforce development, family services, childcare, sports programs and a community gathering space.
Paz-Cedillos, who is also a volunteer columnist for San Jose Spotlight, said the city is contributing predevelopment funding of approximately $500,000. The Si Se Puede Collective will engage in a feasibility study, she said, and work with an architect, general contractor and project manager to ensure by the end of the 18 months, it will be “shovel ready with permits in hand.” She estimates the cost of rebuilding MACSA will be $20 million.
“If the right partners are coming to the table to work together, this vision is very viable,” she told San Jose Spotlight. “When I think about the work that the Mexican Heritage Plaza has done with La Placita, that was a $30 million capital campaign … and we were able to make it happen because people came to the table. We believe that we can apply the lessons learned for this project as well.”
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District 5 San Jose Councilmember Peter Ortiz, who represents the area, said MACSA can change lives.
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“Whether you’re a student looking for academic support, whether you are a young athlete who is looking to join a league, or whether you’re a disconnected youth who’s looking for job training programs or guidance … this building will be a place for you,” he said. “I wouldn’t be a councilmember if it wasn’t for the MACSA program. That was the first place where I saw individuals who … believed in me.”
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