Hope for a Restored Japantown Keeps Committee Working
Future of an ethnic corridor uncertain as economy slows
07/14/2008
http://www.utahpulse.com/featured_article/hope_for_a_restored_japantown_keeps_committee_working
Fear of a recession is hindering progress on plans for a new and restored Japantown in downtown Salt Lake City.
Until the 1960s, the area currently occupied by The Salt Palace was an ethnic enclave occupied by Japanese immigrants brought by the mines, railroad and internment camps.
The aging community failed to survive being displaced by the county’s development plan. Now all that’s left are two churches on 100 South between 300 and 200 West: the Japanese Church of Christ and the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple.
Battles with The Salt Palace for the land in recent years led to proposals for a city and county supported development project. Former Judge Raymond Uno, head of the Japanese Community Preservation Committee, would like to see a mixed-use project with Japanese-themed residential and commercial buildings.
“We could do something interesting and unique with a walking community drawing commercial, residential and tourist business,” he said. “Something economically feasible that would pull the Japanese community together.”
But no developers have stepped forward to lead the project. Without that, the city and county are hesitant to pledge money.
Uno believes a plan must be drafted that will excite local restaurants and merchants into pledging interest. With that support, it might be possible to attract a developer, and later tax support.
Worries over a slowing economy are making things difficult.
“People like to say, ‘that’s a big deal, where you going to get the money?’ It’s not an easy project. People are not totally sold,” Uno said.
Almost every developer they’ve approached has expressed interest, but none have followed up or through. He believes that developers will remain cautious until it’s clear the nation isn’t heading into a recession.
Not least among the hang-ups is the problem of securing all of the properties in the area. Just blocks from the heart of downtown, the area is prime real estate even if the buildings and lots are commercially underutilized.
Committee vice-president Jani Iwamoto is optimistic that something will be worked out because ethnic enclaves have been so successful for business and tourism in California.
In addition to Japantown, plans are also being made to restore the Italian and Greek enclaves that existed to the west, she said.
In the Bay Area, Japantowns have been successful at satisfying interest in both tradition culture and contemporary exports like Anime. With the right mix, it could be a place where people live and work, as it was during the first half of the last century, as well as a place for people to shop, eat and stay.
Albert Kubota, a member of the board of trustees for the Church of Christ, believes a solid plan will be difficult, but exciting, to create.
A revitalized Japanese hub will be good for the two churches, which have served as anchors for the community. But worshipers are also hoping plans will be sensitive about the kinds of clientele sought.
“Liquor, for example, would not be in our best interest,” he said.
The Buddhist church needs more parking and its current lot is attractive to The Salt Palace for expansion. The Church of Christ is aging and needs improvements. Moving or renovating the churches would be expensive, but without them Japantown would lose its credibility, he said.
Despite all of these difficulties, considerations and worries, the committee is still committed to the project because it’s about more than money or renovation.
“We want to perpetuate our traditions, culture and language,” Uno said.
In the 1960s, the community was losing young people fast. They didn’t want to stick around and run the family businesses or marry the neighbors’ son or daughter, he said. The older generation remained the core of the community, but they didn’t have the money or energy to regroup after being displaced by the basketball arena.
Disbelief was the initial reaction of the community when the announcement was made. Many were aware of the county’s desires, but believed an alternative plan would win the day. So oblivious was the older generation to the decision that even the Utah Nippo, the community newspaper, was unaware.
When demolition crews began tearing down the building, the publishers were inside churning out the next edition. The staff did not know of their eviction and was caught by surprise when told to move immediately. A new location was found, but only a few more issues were printed before it closed.
Unlike the Chinese, who largely abandoned their enclave after the 1920s, the Japanese have remained an active and important part of Salt Lake City.
Beginning in 2005, the community has held the annual Nihon Matsuri festival every spring on 100 South to promote Japanese culture.
Even though it was young people that drained the community in the 1960s, he believes it is young people that are now revitalizing it. As Japanese culture has become cool, teenagers and youth are becoming more interested in the ways of their grandparents and ancestors.
Iwamoto believes this is the key to financial feasibility. Japantowns in San Jose and San Francisco have done an excellent job with marketing both to customers interested in tradition as well as new releases.
Samurai, tea ceremonies, sumo wrestling, kanji and Zen meditation may not seem to have much in common with Yu-Gi-Yo cards and Hello Kitty, but Iwamoto says the new is inspired by the old. Many fans of the culture enjoy both and vibrant Japantowns understand that.
The customer base appears to be present with or without a mercantile Japantown. The Salt Lake Valley boasts dozens of Japanese restaurants serving everything from high-end sashimi to fast-food rice bowls. Several small businesses specialize in Anime; Samurai and Ninja weapons are a mainstay at local sword shops. Nearly every mall has a vendor with kimonos, fans and wooden sandals, and it is becoming common to see roadside stalls selling banzai trees.
Uno believes convincing some of these businesses to invest in Japantown would be good for the city, good for the Japanese-American community and good for tourism.
“The opportunity is there, we must grasp it,” he said.
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Rather than walking out the lobby doors and seeing a vibrant urban setting with restaurants and retail store fronts.
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