Board President Linda Chavez, who cast the lone \u201cNo\u201d vote, said she voted against the agreement due to the current lack of resources.<\/p>\n \u201cAt this time, it\u2019s a beautiful plan. But because the money right now isn\u2019t there, it changes things,\u201d she said at the meeting.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0raise $30 million<\/a>\u00a0for the La Placita community development project.<\/p>\n \u201cI know we have the right leadership in place and I know that they will call on the right partnerships and funding,\u201d Herrera-Loera said at the meeting. \u201cStrong 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.\u201d<\/p>\n A devastating\u00a0fire ravaged MACSA<\/a>\u00a0in 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThis potential future development will bring the resources our children need so they can heal, so they can learn, so they can play and thrive,\u201d he said. \u201cMore importantly, it will create opportunities and pathways for their future.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Recreating a community space<\/p>\n 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, child care, sports programs and a community gathering space.<\/p>\n Paz-Cedillos<\/a>, who is also a volunteer columnist for San Jos\u00e9 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 \u201cshovel ready with permits in hand.\u201d She estimates the cost of\u00a0rebuilding MACSA<\/a>\u00a0will be $20 million.<\/p>\n \u201cThis potential future development will bring the resources our children need so they can heal, so they can learn, so they can play and thrive. More importantly, it will create opportunities and pathways for their future.\u201d<\/p>\n Victor Vasquez, SOMOS Mayfair co-executive director <\/p>\n \u201cIf the right partners are coming to the table to work together, this vision is very viable,\u201d she told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cWhen I think about the work that the Mexican Heritage Plaza has done with\u00a0La Placita<\/a>, that was a $30 million capital campaign \u2026 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.\u201d<\/p>\n District 5 San Jose Councilmember Peter Ortiz, who represents the area, said MACSA can change lives.<\/p>\n \u201cWhether you\u2019re a student looking for academic support, whether you are a young athlete who is looking to join a league, or whether you\u2019re a disconnected youth who\u2019s looking for job training programs or guidance \u2026 this building will be a place for you,\u201d he said. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t be a councilmember if it wasn\u2019t for the MACSA program. That was the first place where I saw individuals who \u2026 believed in me.\u201d<\/p>\n Contact Lorraine Gabbert at\u00a0lorrainegabbertsjspotlight@gmail.com.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780377190_25_LNM-20250616-SJSPOTLIGHTLOGO-01.jpg\")
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Jessica Paz-Cedillos, CEO of Mexican Heritage Plaza, and Victor Vasquez, co-executive director of SOMOS Mayfair. The pair spoke to residents before the Alum Rock Union School District approved entering into an exclusive negotiating agreement regarding potential redevelopment of the former MACSA youth center. (Lorraine Gabbert\/San Jose Spotlight)<\/p>\n