Our current focus and initiative is to bring awareness of the Japanese American community's desire to be included in the planning and receive funding regarding SB 272, the Capital City Revitalization Zone which plans to revitalize the Delta Center and Salt Palace Convention Center and create a surrounding entertainment district. This petition is directed to the deciding parties: Revitalization Zone Committee, Smith Entertainment Group, Salt Lake County and the Salt Lake City Council.

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Prior to the building of the Salt Palace in 1965, Japantown spanned nearly ten city blocks with almost 8,000 residents. Many Japanese Americans found refuge in SLC's Japantown after experiencing the displacement and injustices of the WWII American Incarceration Camps. In 1965, they were once again displaced and spread across the Salt Lake valley. The only remaining structures are the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple and the Japanese Church of Christ. This left a gaping hole in the heart of our community. And for nearly 60 years, our community has had no non-religious place to gather. 

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While we acknowledge and remember the past, we look forward to a bright future in partnership and collaboration. Our community has been holding regular meetings to discuss the vision of restoring and preserving the remaining buildings on Japantown Street (100 South and 300 West) and revitalizing it with a community center, restaurants, businesses and museum. 

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With your support, Japantown street will once again be a modern, vibrant cultural hub which celebrates and showcases our city's diversity. 

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We need you to be our ally and advocate in this pivotal time so that history may not repeat itself and that our Japanese American experience can be celebrated as an established part of Utah's cultural fabric.