Residents, Takahashi Foundation urge Arts Commission to preserve Ruth Asawa installation in Japantown

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 commission to preserve the Asawa work and to restore the fountains, which “have not been working for decades.”

At a later public comment turn a Takahashi Foundation representative said the foundation is offering $1,000,000 toward rehabilitation of the installation and urged the commission and city staff to ensure the project preserves the site’s cultural identity. Commenters asked the Arts Commission to review design proposals and to coordinate with relevant city departments so the historic artistic features are retained and refurbished rather than replaced by large planters or other hardscape that would alter the artwork’s character.

Why it matters: Speakers framed the Asawa work as an established cultural asset tied to Japantown’s identity and history; they argued that rebuilding without core Japanese flourishes would erase the original cultural intent. The request included a funding offer and asked staff to use the city’s public‑art and cultural resources to protect the installation.

What the commission did: The public comments were received during the general public‑comment and civic design review sections of the meeting. Commissioners acknowledged receiving the comments; there was no formal commission vote or motion to direct staff recorded on preservation during this meeting. Commissioners and staff referred the public to the appropriate project leads for follow‑up.

Direct quotes from the public record: “Please. I’d like to beg you to please save the Ruth Asawa art installation,” Masako Takahashi said during general public comment. Later, a speaker for the Takahashi Foundation said, “The Takahashi Foundation is offering a million dollars to follow‑up on our request to rehab, to please restore this wonderful work of art that is already globally invaluable.”

Next steps: The comments serve as public notice of community concern and a private funding offer. Any formal action to alter, relocate or restore public art will require review by relevant city departments and the Arts Commission’s public‑art staff; speakers were told to submit written materials to the Arts Commission secretary for the public record.