Work continues behind the scenes to revive Salinas’ Chinatown.

Celia Jiménez here, thinking about the future of Salinas’ Chinatown neighborhood. While the area looks neglected, it holds a lot of vital history for Asian Americans and the city, and local historians and artists—including Asian Cultural Experience of Salinas—are working together to revive it. 

In an effort to implement the Chinatown Revitalization Plan, the city purchased seven vacant properties on Soledad Street, including the Republic Café and Lotus Inn, a landmark building and former restaurant with hopes that it will become a museum and cultural center managed by the ACE of Salinas. 

“Plans for now are to preserve, as much as possible, the external and interior character-defining features of the historic structure. The interior will be renovated to support exhibits, work and community spaces,” ACE of Salinas shared on Feb. 11. 

The city received $1.5 million from the Regional Early Action Planning Grant and selected TEF Architecture and Interior Design, Inc., a design agency based in San Francisco, to develop the concept renderings of the area. 

The concept includes reviving the Spanish influence by adding barrel clay roof tiles, warm colors and a stucco finish; and its Chinese influence, adding a signature red color, string lanterns and mural opportunities.

Community members and neighbors collaborated to shape the concept for what Chinatown would look like, including property owners from Dorothy’s Place and Victory Mission.

The goal is to turn a mostly abandoned area into mixed-use affordable housing, adding 85 affordable housing units and commercial space in one- and two-story buildings.

In 2025, TEF submitted permit applications for four properties, and it’s currently reviewing comments from the city’s planning department before resubmitting a revised petition. It also plans on submitting another application for another parcel, as well as construction documents to stabilize the Republic Café, in the spring. The estimated costs to stabilize and rehabilitate the Republic Café are $5 million combined (The Republic Café suffered damage from a fire in 2022).

The renderings showcase warm buildings and unique designs that highlight the area's history. 

Tomorrow, Feb. 24, the Development Department will share the latest updates about the project during the Salinas City Council meeting.

While this project is still in early stages, we can turn to Moon Gate Plaza apartments to get a tangible glimpse of how the rest of Chinatown could look.