As the Mexican Heritage Plaza commemorates its 25th anniversary, its dedication to enriching the lives of East San Jose residents remains steadfast. For a quarter of a century, this vital community hub has been a cornerstone of the Mayfair neighborhood, and its operators are actively shaping a promising future for the area.
The School of Arts and Culture at the Mexican Heritage Plaza, in collaboration with numerous partners, is spearheading transformative initiatives focused on health care, affordable housing, and economic empowerment within Mayfair. These efforts extend beyond social services, aiming to cultivate San Jose’s inaugural cultural district, aptly named La Avenida. A significant step in this direction is the forthcoming Gardner Health Services family wellness center. Set to break ground in August and open its doors next year, this center will provide crucial mental health, medical, dental, and chiropractic services to the community. Complementing this, the School of Arts and Culture will manage a black box theater and cafe, further enhancing the cultural landscape of the plaza. The visual revitalization is also underway, with once-blighted storefronts now adorned with vibrant murals depicting a jaguar, hummingbird, butterflies, and flowers, symbolizing renewal and growth within the neighborhood.
“We are resolute in our commitment to being the architects of our own destiny,” Jessica Paz-Cedillos, co-executive director of the School of Arts and Culture, emphasized in a conversation with San José Spotlight. “We cannot afford to leave our community’s progress in the hands of external forces.”
Ambitious plans are in motion to construct at least 100 residences adjacent to the plaza, alongside commercial spaces designed to nurture small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Notably, up to 35% of these homes will be designated as affordable housing for low-income residents, aligning with San Jose City Council’s recent landmark policy aimed at preventing displacement, approved in March. Furthermore, in accordance with state law enacted last October, up to 10% of the affordable housing units will be specifically reserved for local artists, fostering a vibrant and diverse community.
Jessica Paz-Cedillos, executive director of the School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza, discusses community development initiatives in East San Jose.
Vanessa Shieh, also co-executive director of the School of Arts and Culture, reiterated to San José Spotlight the organization’s deep commitment to ensuring long-term residency for Mayfair inhabitants. Paz-Cedillos further elaborated that the School of Arts and Culture is advocating for all potential housing developments in the area to prioritize affordability.
“It is paramount that the valuable resources within our community remain affordable and accessible to our residents,” Paz-Cedillos stated. “We are dedicated to preventing the displacement of our families. Instead, we are focused on safeguarding and enhancing what we already possess, along with the crucial investments being made in our community.”
A Community Lifeline During Crisis and Beyond
The Mexican Heritage Plaza’s significance to East San Jose was particularly evident during the pandemic. It served as a critical site for COVID-19 testing, vaccination drives, and food distribution in partnership with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. Continuing its commitment to addressing food insecurity, the plaza remains a vital food distribution hub for the community.
“As a cultural institution deeply rooted in the heart of East San Jose, a community predominantly composed of Latino, Vietnamese, and working-class immigrant families, we recognize our responsibility to be responsive to the community’s pressing needs,” Paz-Cedillos explained.
East San Jose faces well-documented disparities, grappling with some of Santa Clara County’s highest rates of poverty and overcrowded housing. Mexican Heritage Plaza stands as a beacon of hope and resilience in the face of these challenges.
Beyond its role in providing essential services, the plaza is also a vibrant center for political engagement and community organizing. It proudly honors influential leaders like civil rights icon Cesar Chavez, who orchestrated a pivotal grocery store boycott in the 1960s to champion farm workers’ rights.
In recent years, the plaza has hosted significant political events, including a November 2020 news conference where Latino leaders urged Governor Gavin Newsom to appoint a Latino lawmaker to the U.S. Senate. The Si Se Puede Collective also convened a rally at the plaza advocating for comprehensive immigration reform that same month. Notably, the plaza served as a campaign stop for presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg in August 2019, and more recently, hosted a forum on reproductive freedom featuring Vice President Kamala Harris earlier this year.
Paz-Cedillos credits Blanca Alvarado, a respected figure with decades of experience in politics and community advocacy, including service on the San Jose City Council and Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, as the driving force behind the Mexican Heritage Plaza’s creation. The plaza officially opened on September 9, 1999, marking the culmination of Alvarado’s vision and tireless efforts.
“She had to fiercely advocate for her beliefs and for the investments she knew were essential for East San Jose,” Paz-Cedillos remarked. “Leadership is particularly challenging for women of color. I am privileged to benefit from the groundwork laid by giants like Blanca Alvarado.”
Blanca Alvarado, former San Jose Councilmember and Santa Clara County Supervisor, played a pivotal role in establishing the Mexican Heritage Plaza.
Alvarado skillfully persuaded her colleagues on the City Council and the redevelopment agency to broaden the initial concept and budget for a community garden, expanding it to encompass the plaza and theater that stand today.
“This plaza is the result of 50 years of dedicated advocacy,” Alvarado told San José Spotlight. “I am deeply grateful to be part of this enduring legacy.”
Mexican Heritage Plaza enriches the community through a diverse array of cultural and educational programs. Paz-Cedillos emphasizes that these programs instill a profound sense of pride within the community. A popular free summer camp, for instance, provides children with the opportunity to learn traditional folkloric dance, connecting them to their cultural heritage. Rojana Ibarra, Arts Education Program Manager, underscores the importance of fostering a strong sense of identity and cultural pride in young people.
“When we consider community building, it extends beyond social services and advocating for systemic change and policies. It is also about cultivating spaces and moments where individuals can come together, appreciate each other’s company, cultures, and traditions,” Paz-Cedillos articulated.
Alvarado reflects on her time on the council, recalling the approval of plans for economic revitalization along Alum Rock Avenue in conjunction with the Mexican Heritage Plaza, plans that unfortunately never materialized.
“Perhaps,” Alvarado optimistically suggests to San José Spotlight, “the second half of that vision is now on the verge of becoming a reality.”
