R-035-2018 - Support for Japantown Placemaking ProcessR 18-2
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF SALT LAKE CITY
R-35-2018
JOINT RESOLUTION NO.
Support for Japantown Placemaking Process
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF SALT LAKE CITY SUPPORTING THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING GROUP COMPOSED OF BLOCK 67
STAKEHOLDERS, WITH THE GOAL OF WORKING COLLABORATIVELY TO
ARTICULATE A VISION FOR JAPANTOWN, AND PARTICIPATING IN THE STUDY
AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS TO ENHANCE
PLACEMAKING IN THE COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS, on July 12, 2005, Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County adopted a joint
resolution recognizing the unique cultural, economic and social contributions of the
Japanese -American community and the need to mitigate the impacts of the Salt Palace
Convention Center, which displaced Japanese -American businesses and cultural assets
along 10o South between 200 and 30o West (Attachment 1).
WHEREAS, on September 19, 2006, the Salt Lake County Council encouraged
Salt Lake City to rename too South between 200 West and 300 West as "Japantown
Street," recognizing the historical importance of "Salt Lake's Japanese Community and
its relationship to the development of the Salt Palace," and that "the actions of Salt Lake
County in expanding the Salt Palace Convention Center have inextricably bound it to not
only the future, but also, the preservation of that historical community" (Attachment 2).
WHEREAS, on March 6, 2007, the Salt Lake City Council changed the name of
too South between 200 West and 30o West on an honorary basis to "Japantown Street"
(Attachment 3).
WHEREAS, the Board and Executive Director of the Redevelopment Agency of
Salt Lake City ("RDA") seek to ensure that future development is sensitive to and
supportive of the unique cultural assets in the area as the RDA considers significant
reinvestment to spur additional large-scale commercial and economic development in the
adjacent area.
WHEREAS, on November 27, 2018, the RDA approved $too,000 to fund a study
of the public right-of-way along loo South between 200 West and 30o West, which will
evaluate, design and estimate costs for potential streetscape improvements including, but
not limited to, pedestrian and safety enhancements, improvements to facilitate street
festivals, increased neighborhood connectivity, and options that reflect the cultural
heritage and assets of Japantown.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF SALT
LAKE CITY that the RDA hereby supports the establishment of a Working Group
composed of Block 67 stakeholders, with the goal of working collaboratively to articulate
a vision for Japantown, and participating in the study and implementation of streetscape
improvements to enhance placemaking in the community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board and Executive Director will evaluate
specific ways to include this policy goal in future project area plans and objectives for the
area.
Passed and adopted this llth day of December, 2018.
OF DIRECTORS: RDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
Derek Chen, Chair Jacqueline M. Biskupski
District our
my ow
District Seven
Erin Mendenh
Distri e
C ,i air
rew :. nston
strict o
Ja hies Rogers
//Board Member, District One
's harton
D. Three
Luke
District Six
Approved as to form:
Salt Lake City Attorney's
Lake City Recorder
Katherine N. Lewis
HB ATTY-#74569-vl-RDA Japantown Placemaking Resolution.docx
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SALT LAKE CITY CORPORATION
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Joint Resolution
of the Salt Lake City Council, Mayor Rocky Anderson,
the Salt Lake County Council and Mayor Peter M. Corroon
Concerning the Salt Palace Expansion and Japan Town
WHEREAS, prior to 1967, there was a viable and thriving Japanese community, known as Japan
Town, located on First South between Main Street and Third West and adjacent streets which had
its beginning at the turn of the century;
ark WHEREAS, much of Japan Town was demolished in the process of building the original Salt
Palace Convention Center (SPCC) in 1967;
WHEREAS, the two remaining pillars of the Japanese community in what remains of Japan Town,
the Japanese Church of Christ (JCC) and the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple (Temple), have existed on
or near First South for over eighty years;
WHEREAS, Japan Town has been a tremendous cultural asset that adds history, diversity, and
vitai' to Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County;
WHEREAS, the proposed expansion of the SPCC may negatively impact Japan Town unless
effective efforts are undertaken to mitigate the impact of the SPCC expansion and otherwise
support Japan Town;
WEITREAS, Japan Town hosts cultural gatherings and festivals important to the Japanese /
Jap:L_ese American communities and others;
WHEREAS, the Japanese / Japanese American communities have made important contributions to
the cultural, economic and societal well-being of Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County;
W DEREAS, the expansion of the Salt Palace is vital to its viability as a convention center able to
attract convention business to downtown to the benefit of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, and
Utah's economy, and;
WITFREAS, The SPCC staff, representatives of the Salt Lake County Council and their staff,
representatives of the Salt Lake City Council and their staff, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter
Corroon and his staff, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson and his staff, and the Japanese
Community Preservations Committee, Inc. (JCPC) have worked diligently and conscientiously in
attempti g to mitigate any negative impact on the JCC, the Temple, and the Japanese community at
large and its culture and heritage as a result of the Salt Palace expansion;
WHEREAS, the desire of the Japanese / Japanese American communities to retain sense of place
is a significant value for Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County; and the cultural preservation of
Japan Town would aid the development of diverse ethnic neighborhoods along 300 West.
NOW, fkiEREFORE, BE TT RESOLVED, that the Salt Lake City Council, the Mayor of Salt
3 Lake City, the Salt Lake County Council, and the Mayor of Salt Lake County shall strive to honor
the Japanese / Japanese American communities and recognize the positive impacts for the entire
community that will result from the support of historic Japan Town;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City will continue efforts to
mitigate the impact of the SPCC expansion on historic Japan Town.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that future efforts may also include, as feasible, providing
appropriate assistance to businesses or residents that desire to locate in Japan Town and/or, if
needed for future SPCC expansion, the purchase or exchange of land to accommodate the l},,�.
revitalization of Japan Town and/or the dedication of public space for a public plaza in conjunction rs''•
with Japan Town;
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SALT LAKE CITY CORPORATION
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BE 11T FURTR RESOLVED, that the JCPC commits to assist in identifying and encouraging
businesses, institutions, and resources to assist in establishing a Japanese Cultural Corridor; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all parties concerned shall work cooperatively to promote
the cultural preservation and revitalization of Japan Town.
Dated this 12ih day of July, 2005.
oss C. "Rocky" Anderson
Salt L,alse City Mayor
Dale Lambert, District Seven
Salt Lake City Council -Chair
Nancy Saxton, District Four
Peter M. Corroon
Salt Lake County Mayor
Michael Jensen, District Two
Salt Lake County Council Chair
Randy Horiuchi, At Large A
Salt Lake City Council Vice Chair Salt Lake County C. uicil
arlton J. Chn en, District One
Salt Like City Council
Van Blair Turner, District Two
Salt Lake City Council
a
l
K. En �''`� District Three
Salt ouncil
Jennifer Wilson, At Large B
Salt Lake County Council
Jim Bradley, At Large C
Salt Lake County Council
Joe Hatch, District One
Salt Lake County Council
Jill Remington Lobe, District Five David Wilde, District Three
Salt Lake City Council Salt Lake County Council
David L. Buhler, District Six Mark Crockett, District Four
Salt Lake City Council
Raymond S. Uno, President
Japanese Community Preservation
Committee, Inc.
Salt Lake County Council
Cortlund Ashton, District Five
Salt Lake County Council
Marvin Hendrickson, District Six
Salt Lake County Council
BE IT FURTKER RESOLVED, that the JCPC commits to assist in identifying and encouraging
1,LsMesses, institutions, and resources to assist in establishing a Japanese Cultural Corridor; and
BE IT FURl73ER RESOLVED, that all parties concerned shall work cooperatively, diligently,
and in good faith to effectuate the letter and spirit of this resolution promoting the cultural
preservation rand revitalization of Japan Town.
Dated this 1 day of June, 2005.
Ross C. "Rocky" Anderson
Salt Lake City Mayor
Dale Lambert, District Seven
Salt Lake City Council Chair
Nancy Saxton, District Four
Salt Lake City Council Vice Chair
Carlton J. Christensen, District One
Salt Lake City Council
Van Blair Turner, District Two
Salt Lake City Council
K. Eric Jergensen, District Three
Salt Lake City Council
Jill Remington Love, District Five
Salt Lake City Council
David L. Buhler, District Six
Salt Lake City Council
c,o-rta�.y
Raymond S. Uno, President
Japanese Community Preservation
Committee, Inc.
Peter M. Corro
S alLLake,Coun
Michael Jensen, strict Two
Salt Lake County Cotineil`Chair
Randy Horiuchi, At Large A
Salt Iyake County Co}mgi1
Wilson, At Large B
Salt Lake County Council
Jim Bradley, At L.
Salt Lake County Council
Je Hatch, District One
Salt Lake County Council
David Wilde, District Three
Salt Lake County Council
Mark Crockett, District Four
Salt Lake County Council
Cortlund Ashton, District Five
Salt Lake County Council
in endric. son, istrict Six
It Lake County Council .
r4-/IN
SALT LAKE
COUNTY
COUNTY COUNCIL
Cortlund G. Ashton, Chair
District #5
Randy Horiuchi
At -Large A
Jennifer Wilson
At -Large B
Jim Bradley
At -Large C
Joe Hatch
District #1
Michael H. Jensen
District #2
David A. Wilde
District #3
Mark Crockett
District #4
Marvin L. Hendrickson
District #6
September 19, 2006
Salt Lake City Council
Councilman David L. Buhler, Chair
451 S. State Street, Room 304
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
Dear Councilman Buhler:
The Salt Lake County Council, at its meeting held this day, approved the
attached RESOLUTION, recognizing the historical importance of Salt Lake's
Japanese Community and its relationship to the development of the Salt Palace,
and urging the Salt Lake City Council to recognize and commemorate that
historical community by naming 100 South Street between 200 West and 300
West as Japan Town Drive.
ks
pc: 'ouncil
Respectfully yours,
SALT LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL
SHERRIE SWENSEN, COUNTY CLERK
BY /4A4hittidOM
Deputy Clerk
SALT LAKE COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER
2001 South State Street, Suite N-2200 • Salt Lake City, Utah 84190-1010 • 801 / 468-2930 • 801 1469-3029 fax
SALT LAKE -COUNTY C
J(ESOLUTIQN
A RE.SOLUTLON. OITHE SALT LAKi+ COUNTY CDIINCIL_
-- RECOGNIZINGT-HE-HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE-OF-SALT-LAKE'-S
JAPANESL-COMMUNITY-A-NIr ITS —RE IONS/MP-TO-TM
DEVELOPMENT OF THE SALTPALACK GIN THE SALT
LAKE CITY COUNCILTO EECOGNI7IL AND OONIMEMORATL THAT
HISTORICAL-COMMUNITY-BY--NAMING--100-SOUTI1- TREES'
BETWEEN-200 WEST -*NDr 300-WEST AS-JAPANTOWN-SFREEET.
BE AND RE EMBERED THAT:
V+ REAS;the-historical-Japanese-community in Salt-ake-County was located in the
area-betweeirSouth-Temple and -Second South and West -Temple and -Third Westand-constituted
a vibrant neighborhood that provided diversity to Salt Lake City, and
WHEREAS,-early-civicrevitalization-efforts; including -the -development ofthe-initial Salt
Palace arena and convention -complex; severely -impacted thatcommunity and-the-nfrastructure-
sum— po i >
WHEREAS, since -the constructionoofthat-initiaLcomplex.the actions -of,SA)t_Lake County
--in expandingthe-Salt-Palaec Convention-Center-have-inextrieai ly-bound-it-to-not only the future,
butatsothe preservahacrof that historical community; and •
WHERF.AS,itis appropriate to caminemorate andacknowledge n only ihe._role of _the
—residents-ofthat community in creating-the-soeiial fabrie-of-Salt-Lake City but -also -the -importance
—of the neighborhood-nd-physical community ofJapantowrriir heztevetopment-of Salt Lake City
and County;
---NOW T-EREFORE-theSalt-Lake County-Counoii-hereby-en uages-the-Salt--Lake City -- -- -
—Councitto-commemorate and recognize-Te-historical coninnnu -ofJapan-T-owirbydesignating
—100-Stihth Street between 00r 100-West as ` ato o Stiett"-
APPROVEDancLADQPT-ED this day of September, 2006
SALT LAKE COUNTY
By
Cortland-O.. Ashton, Chair
Salt IAce County Counci
A IhST:
Salt Lake County Clerk
Approved as -to -form:
114
Deputy District yA.ttorney
water J / 1L -t¢
l'
Councilmember Ashton voting
Councilmember-Bradley-voting--
Councilmember Crockett voting
Councilmember Hatch voting
Councilmember Hendrickson voting
Councilmember Horiuchi voting_ _ _V' e"-
Councilmember Jensen voting
Councilmember Wilde voting ,
Councilmember Wilson voting
e
-n-
RESOLUTION NO.
SALT LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION
DATE:
A RESOLUTION OF THE SALT LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL
RECOGNIZING THE HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE OF SALT LAKE'S
JAPANESE COMMUNITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE SALT PALACE AND URGING THE SALT
LAKE CITY COUNCIL TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEMORATE THAT
HISTORICAL COMMUNITY BY NAMING 100 SOUTH STREET
BETWEEN 200 WEST AND 300 WEST AS JAPAN TOWN DRIVE.
BE IT KNOWN AND REMEMBERED THAT:
WHEREAS, the historical Japanese community in Salt Lake County was located in the
area between South Temple and Second South and West Temple and Third West and constituted
a vibrant neighborhood that provided diversity to Salt Lake City, and
WHEREAS, early civic revitalization efforts, including the development of the initial Salt
Palace arena and convention complex, severely impacted that community and the infrastructure
that supported it, and
WHEREAS, since the construction of that initial complex the actions of Salt Lake County
in expanding the Salt Palace Convention Center have inextricably bound it to not only the future,
but also, the preservation of that historical community, and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to commemorate and acknowledge not only the role of the
residents of that community in creating the social fabric of Salt Lake City but also the importance
of the neighborhood and physical community of Japan Town in the development of Salt Lake
City and County;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Salt Lake County Council hereby encourages the Salt
Lake City Council to commemorate and recognize the historical community of Japan
Town designating 100 South Street between 200 West and 30 West as "Japan Town
Drive"
APPROVED and ADOPTED this day of September, 2006,
SALT LAKE COJ YMAYOR
Peter Coif n,,Mayor
Mark Crockett, District No 4
J }latch, Dis net No. 1.
LAndoLt
David Wilde, District No. 3
ruin Hendrickson, District No.
JAPANTOWN STREET
Utah has had several Japan towns. Salt Lake City's Japantown was one of the oldest and largest.
It was located primarily on 100 South between West Temple and 100 West. It consisted of a
myriad of businesses including, but not limited to, community and cultural organizations;
churches; newspapers; schools; medical, legal and insurance offices; cinema companies; photo
studios; confectionaries; produce companies; hotels (approximately 24); stores (approximately
18); cleaners and laundries (approximately 27); florists; garages; restaurants (approximately 21);
barber shops; and pool halls. (See attachments which lists Salt Lake's Japanese -owned
businesses from the 1940s, as well as the location of the buildings at the time of the Salt Palace
demolition) It was a thriving and active community until 1967, when the Salt Palace Convention
Center (SPCC) was constructed. The construction was the death knell of the Japanese
community — it literally destroyed what was Japantown and the heart of the Japanese community.
The Japanese Church of Christ (JCC) and the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple (SLBT) are the only
remnants of what was once Japantown.
During the most recent expansion of the SPCC, the viability of the JCC and SLBT was once
again threatened. The Japanese community, realizing that unified action was necessary to
protect, preserve and promote the two last vestiges of Japantown, formed the Japanese
Community Preservation Committee (JCPC), consisting of members from the JCC, SLBT and
the Japanese community at large. JCPC has been meeting regularly since it's formation in
October, 2004, and has worked to protect and preserve the JCC, SLBT and the Japanese
Community from negative impacts arising from the recent SPCC expansion, including, but not
limited to, health and safety hazards, as well as loss of enjoyment of the remaining churches and
properties, which have dated back approximately 90 years. Representatives of JCPC have met
weekly with those involved in the construction and design of the SPCC -- some modifications
have been made to accommodate safety concems„ as well as the preservation of the Japanese
culture and activities of the JCC, SLBT and Japanese community. In addition, due to efforts of
JCPC, legislative language was included in Senate Bill 211 to address impacts to adjacent
structures as a result of SPCC construction/expansion.
A revival of a Japantown has generated a great deal of interest, support and momentum. The
recent inclusion by the Urban Land Institute into their conference's work session was energizing
and gave international attention to the plight of Salt Lake's Japantown, as well as ideas backed
by expertise in various, pertinent disciplines.
Extensive evaluation, research and action has been ongoing. To memorialize the historical
existence and significance of Japantown, and to move forward to preserve and restore Japantown,
there has been strong support to rename First South, between 2nd and 3`d West, to Japantown
Street. Japantown has been used as one word in Japantowns across the Nation. It is our belief
that this originates from the Japanese word for Japantown, "Nihonmachi", which is one word. A
petition, along with a letter and resolution by the Salt Lake County Council, and a letter by the
community council have been prepared and signed by all essential parties for the re -naming of
First South between 2°d West and 3`d West, to Japantown Street for adoption by the Salt Lake
City Council. We ask for the Council's support and adoption, as well as action as soon as is
feasible.
R 07-2
RESOLUTION NO. 12 OF 2007
(Changing the Name of 100 South, between 200 West and 300 West, on an honorary
basis to "Japantown Street," Pursuant to Petition No. 400-06-39.)
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City has received Petition No. 400-06-39 relating to the
change of name of 100 South, on an honorary basis, between 200 West and 300 West;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council fords that there is good cause to change the name of
said street on an honorary basis, without changing the official name or designation of said
street.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Salt Lake City,
Utah:
1. That the name of 100 South between 200 West and 300 West shall be and
hereby is changed on an honorary basis to "Japantown Street."
2. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective on the date of its first
publication.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this 6th day of March
2007.
CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST:
(10114
CHIEF DEPUTY CITY RECORDER
1:1RESOLUTI\Resolution Changing Street Name to Japantown Street.doc
Published: March 19, 2007.
—A= APPROVED AS TO FORM
Selt Lake Date c City ATelt 4 OOT
By