Overview
The Mexican Heritage Plaza encompasses six acres of city-owned space which has stood as an anchor of community pride for the Mayfair neighborhood since the mid-20th century.
In 2007, community members organized for a new chapter at the plaza: the Mexican Heritage Plaza (MHP). The San José City Council unanimously approved the project in 2010, and in 2011, MHP (then, School of Arts and Culture at MHP, or SOAC) became an officially incorporated nonprofit. By 2013, MHP was entrusted with operational leadership of La Plaza in 2013, allowing it to work towards activating the storied space as a hub for arts and cultural education and community empowerment.
MHP broke ground on the project in January 2026 and construction is currently underway.
Our Approach
The partnership with CAST supports MHP’s bold solution, La Avenida, to meet the ongoing needs of the neighborhood and the increased displacement of residents. La Avenida is a multi-phased project designed to revitalize the Alum Rock Avenue Corridor located in the Mayfair region of East San José.
The initial phase is the acquisition of the 28,000 square-foot vacant commercial property across the street from the Mexican Heritage Plaza (La Plaza), which was completed in January 2023. Phase 2 will include development of the existing campus to incorporate retail, additional parking, classrooms, a rehearsal studio, and office space on La Plaza’s six acres. Phase 3 will create affordable housing and retail space to accommodate working-class families, teachers, and artists on the King parking lot.
Impact
Each year, La Plaza hosts over 150,000 people through its core programming. Its mission is to catalyze creativity and empower community. They do this by uplifting East San José’s rich diversity through authentic placekeeping and relevant multicultural productions.
The expansion will increase cultural programming and bring needed family wellness services which will be provided by MHP’s equity partner, Gardner Health Services. With future development phases, La Avenida will further meet the ongoing needs of its neighborhood with affordable housing, business, and arts spaces.
Learn more about La Avenida here.
