Planned improvements — wider pedestrian areas, landscaping, lighting, cultural markers, gathering spaces and historical storytelling elements — are temporarily paused, tied to uncertainty and coordination around the much larger downtown redevelopment effort involving the Salt Palace, Delta Center district and convention/sports district plans. The city describes the project as a phased implementation expected to unfold over years rather than one immediate buildout. The estimated total cost is just over $11 million. A large community-informed mural by artist Cole Eisenhour is scheduled for installation in summer 2026 on the Multi-Ethnic Senior Highrise wall overlooking Japantown. The mural is being framed as the “first visible phase” of implementation. “Where Salt Lake City could really stand out is if we could actually revitalize Japantown,” says Darin Mono. “There are still some elements of that community there, and the public went and invested in that district and were able to bring back a future-facing Japantown. I don’t know of any other community where urban renewal happened like that.” Clearly, a revitalized Japantown is a tall order. As Valerie Nagasawa says, “The people who are called upon to lead this effort have a big weight to bear to continue the legacy of the street. They are small churches and advocacy organizations. Fortunately, the momentum and support have really grown. If any part of this can happen soon, it will be a win.” 10’ 12’ 10’ 32’ 50’ 50’ JAPANESE GARDEN SALT PALACE LOADING DOCK SALT PALACE CONVENTION CENTER 200 WEST 300 WEST JAPANESE CHURCH OF CHRIST JAPANESE CHURCH OF CHRIST STRUVE BUILDING THE CHARLES SALT LAKE BUDDHIST TEMPLE PARKING MULTI-ETHNIC HOUSING PARKING LUMBINI’S GARDEN SALT LAKE BUDDHIST TEMPLE JAPANESE CHURCH OF CHRIST PARKING EV EV EV EV 0 10 20 GRAPHIC SCALE: 1”=20’ 40 60 N JAPANTOWN STREET 19
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTg3NDExNQ==