August 31, 2025
Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
We write to express La Raza Roundtable’s full support for Council Member Ortiz’s proposal to establish a $30 million East San José Revitalization Fund. As a residents and advocates for equity in our city, we believe this initiative is a long-overdue step toward correcting decades of systemic underinvestment and neglect in one of San José’s most vibrant yet underserved communities.
East San José has carried the weight of our city’s growth without receiving its fair share of resources. Ther plan, to invest in public safety, small business support, infrastructure improvements, and community spaces, is not just visionary; it is necessary. The neighborhoods of East San José deserve the same quality of life and civic attention that other parts of our city have long enjoyed.
I am particularly encouraged by the initiatives’ commitment to community engagement through town halls and outreach, ensuring that this fund reflects the voices and needs of East Side residents. Council Member Ortiz’s leadership in proposing fee waivers for small businesses, higher penalties for blighted properties, and expanded city services demonstrate a holistic approach to revitalization that centers dignity and justice.
As he rightly states, “This isn’t about money; this is about justice.” La Raza Roundtable stand with him in calling for a sustainable, inclusive, and impactful investment in East San José. Let this fund be a turning point—one that honors the resilience of its families and builds a future worthy of their contributions.
Sincerely,
Rose Amador and Raul A Colunga, Co-Chairs La Raza Roundtable