Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Chinatown Redevelopment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chinatown predevelopment update: city plans to replicate historic façades, board raises design concerns
Summary
Staff said planning-level designs for several Chinatown sites include facade replication and mixed-use or senior housing; board members said early images feel "monotonous" and urged more Asian-inspired motifs as staff finalizes designs, cleaning, testing and RFPs for developers continue.
Craig Bridal, presenting the Chinatown predevelopment update, described current planning-level designs and recovery work for several Soledad Street addresses affected by past fires. Bridal said the design package for 38 Soledad calls for replicating the historic building with recovered facade elements, and that a separate design for 45 Soledad would recreate the previous brick building at the lower floors with additional stories above.
Bridal said the city is finalizing design packages and continuing disaster-recovery work at 37–39 Soledad (Republic Cafe and Lotus Inn), including interior cleanup, debris removal, lead and asbestos testing required before further work, and updated security fencing for public safety. "We are finalizing the design package that would be submitted for approval for 45 Soledad Street," Bridal said, adding that staff plan to issue a request for proposals for an affordable housing developer as the design and financing work continue. He told the board the city expects to brief the City Council on progress either at the end of this month or in February.
Several board members criticized the initial planning-level images as not reflecting Chinatown's character. Chair Masgay said the design "doesn't feel like Chinatown" and described the color and massing as "monotonous"; Sal suggested adding simple, playful details and Asian-inspired motifs so new construction better reflects the district. Louise said the proposed structure next to the Republic Cafe looked "overbearing" and warned it could "erase the whole historic flavor" of the area. Bridal responded that the images were for planning-level review, that design elements remain to be refined and that the project team will continue public outreach and design iteration before final approvals.
Board members and staff also discussed funding: Leonard said housing trust funds and other grants are available for renovation-eligible projects but cautioned that some grants may have expiration timelines; members asked whether funds could be shifted to other historic projects if not spent. Members additionally offered to share rehabilitation training and resources with the board to support future review and preservation work.
The board requested that staff continue to work with architects to incorporate Chinatown-appropriate motifs and present revised designs at a future meeting once details are finalized.
