garden utilizes spaces, wind, water and part of a building to display a compact view of Japanese landscape, art, traditions and symbolism. Unity and Progress In 2018, spurred by news of the large Westside Development Plan (SLC Block 67), Japantown activists, again, voiced their concerns that what remains of the historic corridor was threatened. The Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency facilitated discussions between the community and the developer and, in 2019, engaged GSBS Architects to begin a formal Japantown visioning process with the community to address their concerns and create a plan for the future of Japantown Street. The resultant document, “Japantown Design Strategy & Guidelines,” reflects the participants’ priorities, as developed through a guided, 15-month community engagement process. Stakeholders included members of the Japanese American community, as well as area landowners and their representatives, including private and public interests. GSBS Architects and the Salt Lake City RDA oversaw the process. These participants created a vision statement for the project: “I am who I am because of you” A place of remembrance and respect A place that thrives over time A place of inclusion The design guideposts were to establish: • A place of vibrancy that provides elements that attract people to the area and support commerce • A place of generations, using contemporary and historical design elements that create spaces for festivals and activities for all ages • A place of gathering; a safe street for events that showcase Japanese and Japanese American culture and arts • A place of senses: it includes sights and sounds, textures and smells evocative of the Japanese experience • A place of intrinsic beauty The consultants developed three design concepts for the public right-of-way for the participants to review. The options considered not just aesthetic and design ideas to improve the pedestrian environment and create a sense of place, but also incorporated the critical components of pedestrian and visitor safety, preserving existing on-street parking, accommodating current festivals, and meeting Salt Palace needs for dock access and fire lane access. The community provided feedback and chose a concept that best realizes the vision and design guideposts, addressing functional needs and accommodating daily as well as festival use. Though revitalization focuses on the Japanese American community in Salt Lake City, the success of this revitalization strategy has a greater impact. Valerie Nagasawa says, “It’s a great vision, not just for the community, but for the entire city.” Healthy, diverse communities enrich cities across the U.S., drawing intrigue, commerce and activity, both profoundly and passively beneficial to all. Driving Toward Action The “Japantown Design Strategy & Guidelines” was completed in Spring 2021 and remains visionary, pending funding and the renovation of the Salt Palace, implementation of the Westside Plan, and the massive Smith Entertainment Group-led Sports and Entertainment District. The community is committed to working with the city, county and private developers to find financial and political support for this substantial effort to preserve and improve what is left of the cultural district. In 2023, the Utah Japantown Advocates was formed as a non-profit to host town halls, collect oral histories and engage with the city council to ensure that the community’s positions are presented in light of ongoing development decisions surrounding the street. “It’s not just the physical street in the center of the city; they are representing the history that is bigger than either church, or even bigger than Salt Lake City, if we think of urban renewal across the country. There is a lot of weight on this project. There is so much potential for good,” says Darin Mano. Since 2024, community members have pushed not just for preservation and street improvements, but for an actual cultural revival with Japanese businesses, restaurants, art and public spaces. Marisa Eng, who represents the Utah Japantown Advocates, said that they are taking inspiration from the vibrancy in areas like Little Tokyo in Los Angeles and Japantown in San Jose and San Francisco, which are supported by density and patronage. They are hoping to learn from and share experiences with those communities. Where Things Stand as of May 2026 Working with the Salt Lake City CRA (formerly the RDA) and representative committees of the Japanese Church of Christ, and the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, GSBS developed the street design concept and placemaking strategy to 40% completion over the course of 2025. The developed design was presented to the CRA Board in November. 18 REFLEXION
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTg3NDExNQ==