www.518valencia.org

The interior of 518 Valencia.

On Saturday, a new cultural center opened its doors in the Mission — sadly, a little too late for its influential founder.

The space is named 518 Valencia after its address, and is also known more formally as The Eric Quezada Center for Culture & Politics, after the longtime Mission activist who recently died of cancer. Quezada was a co-founder and longtime board member of the Kendra Alexander Foundation, which owns the building at 518 Valencia and had long wanted to open a ground-floor meeting space. The organization had maintained an upstairs events venue for several years, but found it difficult for people with mobility issues to access.

Board member and site manager Claude Marks says that the organization began laying groundwork for the new center in earnest about a year and a half ago. The Kendra Alexander Organization funds activists and groups organizing around progressive causes.

518 Valencia takes the place of Abandoned Planet, a used bookstore that was popular for its vintage titles and bookstore cat. Its lease was not renewed in 2010 in order to make room for the new space.

While the foundation will also throw its own events, 518 Valencia is intended to be a low-cost meeting and events space for community organizations. Marks said that even though their outreach has been minimal so far, they already have several events lined up, from panels, to film-screening receptions to office retreats. While the center’s website does list prices for services, like $40 per hour for throwing a fundraiser, Marks says they essentially operate on a sliding scale.

Saturday’s grand opening had been postponed from an earlier date in the hopes that Quezada, who was receiving treatment in Germany, would be able to attend. Instead, supporters were invited to enjoy music and light refreshment, and to take part in building an alter to Quezada’s memory.