$30M La Placita Construction Begins, Bringing New Arts Space to East San José | Press Conference

Описание: The School of Arts and Culture at MHP announced the groundbreaking of La Placita, a 28,000-square-foot property across the street from the Mexican Heritage Plaza that has sat largely vacant for more than two decades. Following a successful $30 million capital campaign, construction is now underway to transform the building into a vibrant community hub featuring a theater, café, and family wellness center.

With a design led by architecture firm Steinberg Hart, the renovation is expected to take approximately one year. The project will culminate in a grand opening that expands cultural programming, supports local entrepreneurs, and creates a welcoming gathering space for the East San José community.

"La Placita is designed as a contemporary, layered expression of culture—rooted in tradition while speaking clearly to the present, and shaped by the distinct identity of East San José,” said Katia McClain, Partner at Steinberg Hart. “Our goal is to create a welcoming cultural hub that reflects this community’s extraordinary creativity and resilience."

ABOUT THE PROJECT
La Placita is the first phase of a broader initiative, the La Avenida Cultural District, designed to anchor community, culture, and economic opportunity along the Alum Rock corridor.

Phase One includes the redevelopment of the 28,000-square-foot commercial property across from the Mexican Heritage Plaza. Future phases will focus on new development on La Plaza campus, including affordable housing and additional commercial and cultural space. Together, these efforts aim to strengthen East San José’s cultural infrastructure, expand access to creative and wellness spaces, and support long-term community stability.

“La Placita is about more than restoring a long-vacant building — it’s about investing in the cultural and economic future of East San José. This project reflects what’s possible when community vision leads and partners align resources around it. We are creating a place where culture, small business, and family wellness come together — and where longtime residents can continue to see themselves, their stories, and their livelihoods reflected in the neighborhood they helped build.” — Jessica Paz-Cedillos, CEO, School of Arts and Culture at MHP