City planning staff gave the Historic Resources Board an update on pre-development and stabilization work in Salinas’ Chinatown, focusing on 37 Soledad Street (Republic Cafe) and neighboring 39 Soledad Street, both of which were inspected after a 2022 fire.

Planning staff reported that consultants including TEF Design, a structural engineer and a historian performed a field visit and provided photos showing fire and water damage. Staff said the Republic Cafe had been taken down to studs and remediated for hazardous materials in earlier work, while portions of 39 Soledad show more extensive roof and front-wall fire damage.

Grant, a planning department presenter, said staff had issued a request for proposals for cleanup and stabilization and expected bids to be returned “this month,” with award and contracting to follow. He said the city could conceivably begin the work next month, depending on the bids and contractor schedule. The clean-up work described to the board will include debris removal, sealing the buildings against pests and weather and temporary tarping to prevent further water intrusion during the rainy season.

Board members and staff described existing measures: both buildings are boarded and fenced at the sidewalk, and the city intends to remove interior hazards before undertaking any structural repairs. Photos shown to the board included interior views of the Republic Café’s main room, kitchen equipment and the Second Floor rooms that were formerly hotel rooms; members noted the Second Floor framing is generally in good condition except where the fire burned through the front wall and roof.

Staff said a structural engineer will return with a more detailed stabilization and structural-repair proposal. The board discussed funding questions; one member noted a Chinatown Neighborhood Improvement Project line in the CDBG 23-24 budget listing $230,000. Staff said they had not yet received cleanup proposals and could not give a final cost estimate until bids are evaluated.

The board asked staff for a schedule update at the next meeting; planning staff said they expect to provide an update and could report whether cleanup and temporary weatherproofing have been completed.