Board member reports lessons from Sacramento Chinatown tour: 1960s pedestrian mall model underused

A board member presented findings from a recent tour of Sacramento’s Chinatown and a preservation conference, telling the Historic Resources Board that much of the commercial core had been rebuilt in the 1960s as a pedestrian mall and that many buildings are underutilized today. The presenter said benevolent and family associations had financed several buildings and that some structures, like the Travelers Hotel, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"In the sixties, that was maybe a popular idea to have, pedestrian malls. But right now, I would say that that's not a successful model to be utilized," the presenter said, describing vacancies and limited reuse in the pedestrianized area.

Grant Leonard, planning manager, said he and other staff found the presentation well received at the conference and that the forum valued early design engagement and a focus on integrating existing buildings into redevelopment plans. "I think that's exactly right. It was very well received. Folks are interested to see us, you know, this early in the process and being this focused on working the existing building into the redevelopment plans," Leonard said.

Board members discussed whether the Chinatown area in Sacramento represented a recreation of older buildings rather than preserved originals; the presenter said much of the Chinatown there had been redesigned in the 1960s to be a destination and that historical photos were sparse at the tour. Members suggested the example could serve as both a cautionary tale and a source of ideas for signage, plaques and interpretive material for Salinas.

No formal action was taken. Staff suggested some elements from the conference presentation—early public engagement and attention to how to reuse architectural features—could inform the design approach on local projects such as the Soledad Street site.