Japanese Village Plaza Reopens As Community Gathering Spot
Rich Alossi
Pedestrians wander through the newly renovated Japanese Village Plaza, which held a reopening ceremony over the weekend.
LITTLE TOKYO, LOS ANGELES — Finishing touches on the two-year-long renovation of Japanese Village Plaza in Little Tokyo wrapped up this weekend with a grand reopening ceremony and events to coincide with start of the the 70th Annual Nisei Week festival.
Quickly following the 2007 purchase of the plaza by non-Japanese investment group American Commercial Equities, the company announced plans to renovate the property, which had seen few improvements since its inception in the mid-1980s. That announcement caused a stir in the Little Tokyo community, itself the subject of a well-documented influx of new development and changing demographics.
Still, those fears were mostly allayed when the company told stakeholders that improvements would not change the overall character or Japanese heritage of the plaza. A roof replacement project kicked off the renovations back in 2008, which also saw the installation of new signage, trees, improved lighting, giant umbrellas to provide shade and abundant seating throughout the popular tourist destination. In a nod to the improving pedestrian environment Downtown, a new retail space is available for lease on the plaza's formerly neglected northeast corner at First Street and Central Avenue.
The most eye-catching change, however, is the new Yagura fire tower. One of Little Tokyo's most photogenic and popular monuments, the tower marks the First Street entrance to the plaza. Termite damage necessitated the replacement of the wooden multistory structure with a long-lasting steel tower.
On Monday, workers in the basket of a cherry-picker were carefully laying the last of the new roof tiles on the tower as a few tourists and elderly neighborhood residents took advantage of new benches in the shade nearby. And with a central terrace more conducive to small performances, Japanese Village Plaza has cemented its footing as the center of neighborhood life in Little Tokyo once more.
What do you think about the newly renovated plaza? Let us know in the comments.
Japanesevillageplaza.net / 335 E. 2nd Street
Tornadoes28 on August 17, 2010, at 12:28PM – #1
I really like what they have done with this shopping center. The fire tower looks great and the fountains and walkways are very nice. It would be nice if the shops across 2nd street were redeveloped in order to extend the shopping district and really make it a destination area. Plus, and this is just dreaming, but wouldn't it be amazing if there was one or two level of residential above the shopping center.
Guest on August 17, 2010, at 01:37PM – #2
Renovations are excellent. Only not so great thing for me is the bronze sculpture just north of the fountain, but that's just me. Love all the benches and the new storefront signs. Kudos for keeping the cultural look of the center.
Guest on August 17, 2010, at 02:54PM – #3
I LIKE THE UMBRELLAS!
Guest on August 17, 2010, at 10:17PM – #4
No more fleas in that tower...
Guest on August 17, 2010, at 11:07PM – #5
I'm going to be nitpicky and say that the new fire tower isn't as good as the original because it looks too much exactly like what it's made of, that being metal. The old tower, because it contained wood pylons, was more in keeping with an old-world spirit. But that greater authenticity is where the termite problem kicked in. It's just too bad the steel surface of the new tower couldn't have been molded to look like wood. However, I'm sure that would have upped the costs.
That matter aside, if the rest of the mall no longer is as dog-eared ratty as it was until not long ago, then all is forgiven.
Whitman Lam on August 18, 2010, at 12:11AM – #6
I still think a steel firewatch tower looks too tacky. It reminds me of the steel Christmas tree they put up every year at LA Live.
They should have used some molded concrete pillars that have the same look and texture of wood, but durable enough to last.
John Apodaca on August 18, 2010, at 06:12AM – #7
Being a member of the Los Angeles Conservancy, I'm all about preservation and upkeep. I believe maintaining areas like Little Tokyo will benefit everyone.
John Apodaca www.daddyosmartinis.com
Tornadoes28 on August 18, 2010, at 12:29PM – #8
I was going to say the same thing as Whitman. They should have used molded concrete for the tower to make it look more like wood. Too bad.
Jasmijn on August 18, 2010, at 04:33PM – #9
The renovated Plaza looks really good. Nicely done extra seating in a couple of areas, the new stage is welcome for performances without requiring the performers to perch on the edge of a dirty fountain anymore, and the gingko design on the metal bases around the replanted trees is very pretty. The energy around the area for Nisei Week's parade was really good, for both Japanese and non-Japanese attendees, and the new firetower made a good backdrop for photos of the floats and dancers on 2nd St, for those of us sitting with our backs to the restaurants in the old buildings.
With the new Gold Line stop nearby, perhaps this will tempt more visitors and residents to explore again. Many of the businesses have been there for such a long time (Fugetsu-do and Mikawaya, Bunka-do, Mitsuru Cafe) and it's nice to see them being discovered by a new audience.
Guest on August 18, 2010, at 05:28PM – #10
it didn't REOPEN - it was never closed.
Rich Alossi on August 18, 2010, at 05:42PM – #11
Guest #10: Technically you're correct. The ceremony was listed on fliers and the website as a "grand re-opening." Maybe it should have been called a rededication instead.
Guest on August 18, 2010, at 07:54PM – #12
molded concrete? To look like the "trunk" of those fake-tree cell phone towers?
Whitman Lam on August 18, 2010, at 11:37PM – #13
Yes, exactly. Those fake-tree cell phone towers have fooled many a wood-pecker.
Also, the east entrance of the plaza should point towards the Gold line station so people can see it more clearly. Have sculptures or landscaping that draws people in that direction.
Russell Brown on August 20, 2010, at 12:08AM – #14
Remember, that GoldLine station disappears in 5-7 years when the regional connector underground station is built below the Office Depot.
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