Salinas committee hears update on Chinatown redevelopment; city readies 34–40, 37–39 and 45 Soledad Street for affordable housing and museum space

City of Salinas staff on Tuesday updated the Housing and Land Use Committee on predevelopment work for several Chinatown parcels on Soledad Street, outlining plans to rehabilitate the historic Republic Cafe and to build mixed‑use affordable housing at 34–40 and 45 Soledad Street.

“Good afternoon, chair. Pleasure to be here and to give an update on the city's activities for redeveloping 34, 36, 38, 40 and 37–39 and 45 Soledad Street,” said Mr. Leonard, the staff presenter, who described property acquisitions, design work and funding the city has secured for predevelopment. Leonard said the city received “approximately one and a half million dollars” through a regional early action planning grant and selected TEF Design and Architecture to advance design and entitlement work.

The presentation traced the sites’ recent history: multiple buildings on 34–40 had been damaged by fire and demolished; 38 was a historic two‑story building lost to fire in 2025; 37–39 (the Republic Cafe and Lotus Inn) sit on a separate parcel and remain in relatively better condition. Leonard said the Republic Cafe is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and that the city aims to stabilize character‑defining features and install a fire…