Update on Predevelopment for 34, 36, 38 ,40, 37-39, and 45 Soledad Street in Chinatown 2/24/2026
City Council
Background
34-40 Soledad St.
00 01
02 03
45 Soledad St.
04 37- 39 Soledad St.
Design Precedents
05 Schedule and Next steps
Agenda
3 Chinatown Revitalization
Continued implementation of 2019 Chinatown Revitalization Plan Safety and Homelessness
Infrastructure Improvements
Economic Development
Housing Development
00 Site Context
4 City purchase of vacant properties
45 Soledad Street
34, 36, 38, 40 Soledad Street (one property)
37-39 Soledad Street (Republic Cafe)
Grant funding for predevelopment work in 2024
$1.5 million Regional Early Action Planning Grant
TEF Design selected for design and entitlement work
Project Background
45 Soledad Street
34, 36, 38, 40 Soledad Street
LAKE ALLEY
SOLEDAD STREET
BRIDGE ALLEY
MARKET WAY
MARKET WAY
UNION PACIFIC RAILWAY TRACKS
37 45
40 38
36 34
39 34 & 36 Soledad: 1-story buildings, formerly commercial/ restaurant use - demolished in 2025 after fire 38 Soledad: 2-story building, formerly Arre’s Pool Hall + apartments, eligible Historic Resource - demolished in 2025 after fire 40 Soledad: Empty lot
37-39 Soledad: Republic Cafe, NRHP listed property + Lotus Inn 45 Soledad: 2-story building, formerly mixed use - demolished in 2017 after fire Project Map
6 Complete all required predevelopment tasks before a developer is selected Planning entitlements
Ensure community engagement
Design that reflects the rich history and architecture of Chinatown 100% affordable mixed use development
Varied income levels
Mix of unit types - studio, family, senior
Commercial spaces designed for success
Goals for Predevelopment
May 2024: Project Kick-Off (34-40 Soledad)
June 2024: Community Visioning Community
July 2024: Meeting with Historic Resources Board (34-40 Soledad) Aug. 2024: Developer Consultations (34-40 Soledad)
Jan. 2025: Project Kick-Off (45 Soledad)
Feb 2025: Meeting with Historic Resources Board (45 Soledad) March 2025: Market Study (34-40 & 45 Soledad)
April 2025: Community Visioning Workshop (45 Soledad)
June 2025: Costing Package (34-40 & 45 Soledad)
In Progress: CEQA Exemption is being prepared
34-40 Soledad Site Plan Review submitted to City Dec 22nd 2025 Background on Process to Date
01 Mural by Josh Wigger
Mural by BiP Apollo
Design Precedents
Morning Star
Japantown, SF
Gum Moon
Chinatown, SF
Tahanan - SOMA Pilipinas, SF
MERCY HOUSING
Park View Terrace, SF
CHINATOWN CDC
Casa de la Mision, The Mission, SF
MERCY HOUSING
Pok Oi - Boston, MA
CHINESE CONSOLIDATED BENEVOLENT ASSOC.
Maceo May - Treasure Island
CHINATOWN CDC
900 Pacific - SF
CHINATOWN CDC
951 N Broadway - Los Angeles
Barrel clay tile awnings
Small decorative tile wall accents
Stucco finish with warm earth tone colors
Spanish Revival Influence
330 Alvarado Street - Monterey, CA
186 Lighthouse Ave - Monterey, CA
439 Soledad Street - Salinas, CA
Historic Design Context - Early Settlement of the Salinas Valley
Chinese Red color - Good fortune, joy and celebration
Moongate - symbolizes a passage into serenity, renewal and good fortune in connection to lunar deities.
Chinese Influence
Historic Design Context - Establishment of Salina’s Chinatown 946 Mei Ling Way - Los Angeles, CA
951 N Broadway - Los Angeles, CA
Moongate Lounge, SF
E.A. Library, UC Berkeley
A welcoming and secure entry
Easy wayfinding
Inspired by Chinese motif
Moon Gate
Moongate Lounge, SF
Blue Oak Landing, SF - Eden Housing
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, Vancouver
Hortus Haren Botanical Garden, Netherlands
Design Concepts
Japanese joinery techniques
Perforated metal to match moongate entry
Visually connect 34-40 and 45 Soledad with a similar design element Solar Shades
Casa de la Mision, SF
MERCY HOUSING
388 Fulton St, SF
7x7 DEVELOPMENT
388 Fulton St, SF
7x7 DEVELOPMENT
Design Concepts
Inspired by Asian cultural relevance
Connecting the two taller volumes of 34-40
Celebrating the historic replica in the center and its presence on the site String of Lanterns
Stainless Steel Lantern
Chinatown, SF
SOMA Pilipinas Patrol Lantern Festival + Parade, SF
Lantern Festival
Design Concepts
Mural Opportunities
Breaking up large expanse of wall in an economical way
Celebrates local artists and ideas, giving voice to the community The murals shown at 34–40 and 45 Soledad showcase a selection of Belle Yang’s art and are used with her permission.
ABOUT BELLE YANG:
“Born in Taiwan, Belle Yang is author and illustrator of adult nonfiction books, children's books and a graphic memoir. She spent part of her childhood in Japan. At age seven she emigrated to the United States with her mother and father. She attended Stirling University in Scotland, graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz in biology but went on to study art at Pasadena Art Center College of Design and the Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Painting.” Lotus in Rain
After Brueghel
Odello Artichoke Field #2
Design Concepts
Render
16 Conceptual Soledad Gateway
Render
17 Artwork Credit: Belle Yang
Mural Art Work Potential
Conceptual Neighborhood Square
34-40 Soledad
02 34-40 Soledad
34-40 Soledad
Ground Floor Plan
Retail
Lobby/Resident Services
Back of House/Mechanical
Parking/Circulation
MARKET WAY
SOLEDAD STREET
34-40 Soledad
Floor Plan - Level 2
Studio
1 Bedroom
2 Bedroom
3 Bedroom
Community
34-40 Soledad
Floor Plan - Level 3-6
Studio
1 Bedroom
2 Bedroom
3 Bedroom
Community
34-40 Soledad
Level 1
Commercial Space 5,876 SF
Resident Lobby/Service 1,155 SF
Car Parking Spaces 11 spaces
Bike Long Term Storage 18 spaces
Bike Short Term Storage 4 spaces
Level 2
Shared Open Space 2,897 SF
Community Room 777 SF
Levels 2-6: 55 Residential Units
Studios 15 27%
1 Bed 10 18%
2 Bed 15 27%
3 Bed 15 27%
Mixed Use
Commercial + Multi-Family Affordable Housing
Project Name | TEF Design
22 Artwork Credit: Belle Yang
Mural Art Work Potential
23 34-40 Soledad
Soledad Street Elevation
24 Artwork Credit: Belle Yang
Mural Art Work Potential
34-40 Soledad
Market Way Elevation
04 45 Soledad
03 45 Soledad
Ground Floor Plan
Retail
Lobby/Resident Services
Back of House/Mechanical
Parking/Circulation
SOLEDAD STREET
MARKET WAY
45 Soledad
Floor Plan - Level 2
Studio
1 Bedroom
Community
Resident Services
45 Soledad
Floor Plan - Level 3-6
Studio
1 Bedroom
Project Name | TEF Design
29 Photo: Larry Hirahara
Mixed Use - Commercial + Affordable Senior Housing
5-Stories: 30 Units
Level 1
Commercial Space
Resident Lobby/Service
Car Parking Spaces
Levels 2-5: 30 Units
Classroom
Community Room
Studios
1 Bed
*AREA EXPECTED TO DECREASE WITH FURTHER MEP DEVELOPMENT 45 Soledad
+/- 1,900 SF*
+/- 650 SF
1 space
+/- 300 SF
+/- 460 SF
16 14
Artwork Credit: Belle Yang
Mural Art Work Potential
30 45 Corner View
45 Soledad
Soledad Street Elevation
31 45 Corner View
Artwork Credit: Belle Yang
Mural Art Work Potential
45 Soledad
Market Way Elevation
37-39 Historic Structures Report, Stabilization & Rehab Design 04 Historic Structures Report Findings
Photo: Larry Hirahara
Project Name | TEF Design
Republic Cafe
37 Soledad Street
Historical Significance:
Listed Salinas Historic Resource: 1989
Designated in National Register of Historic Places: 2011 Historic Structures Report Findings:
Eligible for National Register of Historic Places under the following:
Criterion A: Associated with cultural heritage as prominent ethnic minority business Criterion B: Association with Wallace Ahtye Sr. & Lily Ahtye Criterion C: Architecturally distinctive example of Chinese-inspired architecture Lotus Inn
39 Soledad Street
Historical Significance:
Listed Salinas Historic Resource: 1989
Eligible for National Register of Historic Places
Historic Structures Report Findings:
Eligible for National Register of Historic Places under the following:
Criterion A: Associated with cultural heritage as prominent ethnic minority business Criterion C: Architecturally distinctive example of Chinese-inspired architecture
feature is present on both
37 & 39 Soledad Street
West Facade Character Defining Features
*
37-39 Soledad Street
Emergency Stabilization Scope of Work
Stabilize front facade
Repair fire damaged components
Install Fire Sprinkler System
Stabilize building structure
Make watertight (roof replacement) and vandal resistant
Areas of Temporary Reconstruction
37-39 Soledad
Soledad Street Elevation
Project Name | TEF Design
38 37-39 Soledad Street
Level 1 Concept Plan
Museum Area
Commercial Area
37-39 Soledad Street
Mezzanine Concept Plan
Museum Area
Project Name | TEF Design
40 37-39 Soledad Street
Level 2 Concept Plan
37-39 Soledad Street
Residential Area
Future Program
Project Name | TEF Design
37-39 Soledad Street
Level 3 Concept Plan
Museum Area
TEF Design | tefarch.com
MAR
37 - 39 HSR
EMERGENCY STABILIZATION DESIGN
August 2025 - June 2026
34 - 40
SCHEMATIC DESIGN
37 - 39 Rehab
SCHEMATIC DESIGN
APR
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUNE
JULY
34 - 40, 45
CONCEPT DESIGN
34 - 40
SITE PLAN REVIEW
2025
2026
45 PREVIOUS CONCEPT DESIGN
45 SITE PLAN REVIEW + SCHEMATIC DESIGN
45 CONCEPT DESIGN
37 - 39 Rehab
PERMITTING
37 - 39 Rehab
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
JUNE/2026
STABILIZATION CONSTRUCTION STARTS
AUG
05 Schedule & Next Steps
Submit 45 Soledad Site Plan Review
Respond to 34-40 City Planning Comments
Finalize designs for 34-40 and 45 Soledad Street
Prepare construction documents for 37-39 Soledad Street Prepare Developer Request for Proposals
34-40 Soledad
45 Soledad
39 Soledad
37 Soledad
Victory Mission
Dorothy’s Place
Buddhist Temple of Salinas
MARKET WAY
SOLEDAD STREET
Next Steps
CALIFORNIA STREET
44 34-40 Soledad
45 Soledad
Conceptual Project Aerial
Questions?
For more information, contact Grant Leonard
(831) 758-7579
https://www.cityofsalinas.org/Your-Government/Departments/Community-Development