CRA staff presented 40% design documents for the Japantown streetscape on Nov. 18, highlighting a community-driven plan that prioritizes ground-floor artist space, placemaking elements and improved walkability.

"We respectfully, but strongly encourage the CRA, the city council, and the mayor's office to approve and support the renewed momentum for the next phase of the Japantown streetscape," said Lisa Imamura, representing the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple and the Japanese Church of Christ, during public comment. CRA presenters said the design work is the product of several years of community engagement and previous planning efforts.

Marcus Lee, project coordinator for the Community Reinvestment Agency, said the 40% documents translate community wishes into a technically validated design and noted a focus on festival needs, lighting, public art and accessibility. Ben, a GSBS architect involved in the design, described technical constraints including shallow utilities that create a steep roadway crown and limit how much the street grade can be flattened without relocating utilities.

Staff proposed place-making elements that include entry monuments, crosswalks, vertical panels with historical timelines, custom manhole covers, and a double-row cherry tree planting where feasible. The package also includes a proposed mural on the side of the multi-ethnic senior housing tower facing 100 South; staff estimated the mural would cost about $50,000–$75,000 and aimed for a spring 2026 reveal, weather permitting.

The CRA staff presented a consolidated 40% cost estimate of just over $11,000,000 to construct the envisioned streetscape, including earthwork, materials, contingency and insurance. Lee outlined four options for next steps: 1) allocate funding for short-term placemaking and maintenance items, 2) fund additional design work, 3) identify construction funding including mitigation grants for impacted churches, or 4) delay action until the entertainment district plans are clearer.

Board members expressed strong support for initiating visible placemaking quickly. "We need to see something there starting, even though it may get affected by the entertainment district," said Board member Pui, urging action on art and portable plantings. Several members asked staff to return with clearer estimates for tree procurement and maintenance responsibilities and to ensure community oversight and timelines so the city does not create "broken promises."

Staff said some items (mural funding) are already allocated and that additional design or construction funding would be considered in next year’s annual budget cycle. They also noted place-making content work — for example, researching and drafting the 26 in-ground historical plaques — could proceed now and would not be wasted effort even if final element locations shift when adjacent development plans are finalized.

The board did not take a formal vote on a single option that day, but members signaled support for using available art funds and pursuing movable planters/trees and other early activation steps while continuing design and coordination with other city projects. Staff committed to return with more detailed cost, maintenance and funding plans for board consideration.

The CRA will continue community coordination as design work proceeds toward higher-percentage construction documents and as funding decisions are refined.