Salinas planning staff lays out Chinatown predevelopment plan; 88‑unit PUD continued to May 20

Salinas planning manager Grant Leonard presented a multi‑site predevelopment update on May 6, detailing designs, financing approaches and next steps to advance affordable housing and cultural preservation in the city’s Chinatown neighborhood.

Leonard told the Planning Commission the city has pursued predevelopment work on multiple properties along Soledad Street after years of private disinvestment. “In 2024, we were successful in securing a $1,500,000 grant to complete predevelopment work for those sites,” Leonard said, describing work to secure entitlements, complete environmental clearances and prepare projects to attract a developer.

The proposal covers several parcels, including 34–40 Soledad, 37–39 Soledad (home to the Republic Cafe) and 45 Soledad. Leonard said one mixed‑use development would include roughly 55 housing units and about 6,000 square feet of ground‑floor commercial space, while a separate senior building would add about 30 units and roughly 2,000 square feet of retail. The projects emphasize historically informed architecture — tiles, clay rooflines, lanterns and a “moon gate” concept — intended to reflect Chinatown’s blended…