The Endangered 8: 2025 

A “Save MACSA” coalition led by the Eastside community organizations SOMOS Mayfair and the Sí Se Puede Collective have twice succeeded in postponing the proposed demolition of this once-vibrant but long-vacant youth center founded in 1995 by the Mexican-American Community Services Agency (MACSA). The coalition is seeking to partner with the site’s current owner, the Alum Rock Union School District (ARUSD), to rehabilitate and reopen the distinctively Aztec-inspired building to once again provide vital educational, recreational, vocational, cultural, and healthcare services to the surrounding Mayfair community. However, ARUSD is facing extreme budget deficits and views the vacant structure primarily as a financial liability and safety hazard. Significant public and philanthropic investment will likely be needed to ensure that the building survives to stand as a beacon of hope for a new generation of East San José youth and families. In June of 2025, San Jose City Council designated $500,000 in  Community Development Block Grant funds towards the building's future rehabilitiation, but these funds are contingent on a pending Federal allocation and a completed agreement between ARUSD and Somos Mayfair. A pivotal vote is currently scheduled for September 11, 2025, when the ARUSD Board of Trustees is expected to decide whether to accept SOMOS Mayfair's partnership proposal or to proceed with demolition.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2025

In the early morning of August 29th, a three-alarm fire severely damaged the MACSA building. On August 30th, the Alum Rock Union School District (ARUSD) board held an emergency meeting to authorize demolition of the damaged and unsafe portions of the structure. Early assessments indicate that, while the damage is unfortunately extensive, significant portions of the structure may still be intact, including the building’s gymnasium and iconic main entrance. SOMOS Mayfair and the Sí Se Puede Collective are now calling on ARUSD to protect these surviving elements and to commit to the building’s reconstruction. PAC*SJ strongly supports this position. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

MEDIA COVERAGE

Mercury News, "After fire, Alum Rock organizers fight to save treasured San Jose community hub," Sept. 9, 2025

San Jose Spotlight, "East San Jose stands strong in face of MACSA fire," Sept. 2, 2025

San Jose Inside, "Alum Rock School Board Moves to Demolish Burned MACSA Youth Center," Aug. 31, 2025

CBS News Bay Area, "San Jose activists seek rebuild of MACSA building after fire," Aug. 30, 2025

ABC 7 News, "Large fire destroys vacant former youth center in San Jose that community members wanted to restore," Aug. 29, 2025

NBC Bay Area, "3-alarm fire scorches vacant MACSA building in San Jose," Aug. 29, 2025

San Jose Spotlight, "East San Jose youth center garners support for remodel," June 13, 2025

Telemundo 48, "Community asks that the old MACSA building in San José not be demolished," May 16, 2025

Telemundo 48, "Seeking to convert the former MACSA building into a community center in San José," May 14, 2025

San Jose Spotlight, "A future worth investing in," April 11, 2025

San Jose Spotlight, "East San Jose community aims to restore youth center," March 14, 2025

San Jose Spotlight, "East San Jose school district seeks partner to save former youth center," Feb. 13, 2024

San Jose Spotlight, "San Jose teacher housing prompts demolition of former youth center," Jan. 20, 2024