A blighted block in East San Jose is about to get some badly needed attention from an arts group that wants to expand and redevelop the area.
The School of Arts and Culture at the Mexican Heritage Plaza wants to build performance and rehearsal spaces, a cafe, and a mental health clinic on the block where a row of vacant storefronts has been hit with vandalism and homeless encampments.San Francisco Public Health: COVID-19 Hospitalizations, Deaths Stay Low As Case Rate Outpaces Rest Of Bay Area
”We will be filling a building that’s been vacant for seven or eight years,” said Chris Esparza, one of the school’s co-directors.Esparza says the school has secured large financial grants from Santa Clara County and other supporters to begin the transformation which could revitalize the area. The mental health clinic will be run by Gardner Healthcare.”We’re going to focus on economic development, community development and cultural development, which we do best,” Esparza said.
The plaza itself —busy again with meetings and performances — was a testing and vaccination site for the last two years.Neighborhood reaction so far is positive even though some communities might say no to a mental health clinic moving in. ”I’ve had family with mental health problems, friends have had it. I know people who’ve committed suicide over it. So, any opportunity that we can help people is always a great idea,” said Alvaro Perez, who lives in the neighborhood.The School of Arts and Culture says if all goes well, a second redevelopment phase including housing could be in the future.
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