Supervisor Jackie Fielder introduced a resolution recognizing the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts (MCCLA) and urging the San Francisco Arts Commission and other partners to preserve MCCLA’s historical legacy and guarantee the organization a right to return to 2868 Mission Street during and after a planned seismic retrofit.

Speakers from MCCLA addressed the board during public comment to underscore the practical needs raised by a retrofit: relocation of programs and teaching artists, protection of archives and equipment, and continuity of community access. Dr. Martina Ayala, MCCLA executive director, told the board that “MCCLA is not merely a building. It is a public good, a place where newcomers and longtime residents meet, where culture heals, teaches, and inspires belonging,” and asked supervisors to adopt the resolution and support “practical process‑aligned steps” to sustain the center during construction.

Board members and speakers described MCCLA as a 49‑year cultural institution that hosts a theater, gallery, Mission Grafica printmaking studio, music and dance programming, and an archive. The resolution aims to pair safety (a necessary retrofit) with continuity (relocation plans, program preservation, and a right to return). Public testimony included multiple MCCLA leaders and participants who asked the board to ensure funding, logistical support, and administrative coordination to keep classes, exhibitions, and archives accessible during the retrofit.

Why it matters: MCCLA is a longstanding cultural anchor in the Mission District; maintaining program continuity during facility upgrades preserves cultural services, supports teaching artists, and protects archives and community memory.

Details and next steps: The resolution was introduced at the Sept. 30 meeting; MCCLA leaders urged its adoption and asked city partners to fund and coordinate relocation and archival protection during the retrofit. The transcript includes multiple public comments in support of MCCLA.