Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Residents, Takahashi Foundation urge Arts Commission to preserve Ruth Asawa installation in Japantown
Summary
Public commenters asked the Arts Commission to intervene to preserve a long‑standing Ruth Asawa installation (sometimes referenced as Osaka Way) in Japantown, arguing a Buchanan Mall redesign would strip Japanese flourishes and relocate original features; the Takahashi Foundation offered funding to restore fountains and benches.
Multiple members of the public addressed the Arts Commission during the general public‑comment periods to urge preservation and restoration of the Ruth Asawa work that runs along the block commonly referred to as Osaka Way in San Francisco’s Japantown.
Masako Takahashi of the Takahashi Foundation told commissioners the installation — which includes sculpted benches and origami fountains by artist Ruth Asawa and was designed as part of a Japantown‑focused urban design plan — is deteriorating and should be repaired rather than redesigned. Takahashi said the city’s current redevelopment project calls the area the Buchanan Mall and removes some of the Japanese design elements; she appealed to the…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
