SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — Former Latino youth center in East San Jose has been demolished and community groups are continuing to work on rebuilding proposal.
Victor Vasquez doesn’t see a vacant lot, he sees an opportunity to rebuild.
On August 29, a fire gutted the shuttered MACSA Youth Center in East San Jose and now, demolition is underway.
“It does still feel painful, at the same time we’re like determined to the next phase,” Vasquez said.
The Alum Rock Union School District owns the site. The building had been vacant for around 16 years.
RELATED: Large fire destroys vacant former youth center in San Jose that community members wanted to restore
The former Mexican American Community Services Agency youth center in San Jose went up in flames early Friday morning.
In two assessments completed after the fire, engineers found most of the main building had been destroyed or severely damaged.
The gym had minor heat damage – but extensive testing would be required to salvage the structure.
Another inspector stated the entire site should be demolished, including the gym.
Prior to the fire, Vasquez of SOMOS Mayfair had been an advocate to bring back the center, a safe space for Latino youth.
“There was a 128% increase to fentanyl use in our community. We have 68% of our youth that are in foster care are Latino,” Vasquez said.
SOMOS Mayfair is in the Si Se Puede Collective, which is made up of several community organizations working to rebuild the center. They have until October 23 to submit a proposal to the district.
“We believe that once we have an agreement and it shows that both parties are formally engaging in a campaign to rebuild the center, we think funders from the state to private and philanthropy will join in and help us rebuild the center,” Vasquez said.
Back on October 11, SOMOS Mayfair launched a Rebuild MACSA campaign with a community cleanup. Around 50 young people showed up.
“So I think it shows you that, we’re responsible for taking care of our community, it’s not just about the center,” Vasquez said.
Vasquez says the surrounding community only has to gain by rebuilding a center. Renaissance Academy at Mathson is a middle school located right next door with just over 500 students, and no gym and no library of their own.
“I think the visibility of having a center that looks like you reminds you that you belong,” Vasquez said.
Alum Rock Union School District released this statement:
The district is working collaboratively to hear and consider actionable proposals from the group that meet the long-term needs of students, the school site, and the community.
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