Redevelopment of San Francisco Japantown

Nihonmachi is located in the Western Addition area of San Francisco. At one time the Nihonmachi community encompassed over twenty city blocks, but today it is only recognized to be four city blocks. Most of the structures in the area were built before 1900, and for over 30 years the Western Addition has been undergoing redevelopment. The idea behind redevelopment is for government to stimulate controlled development to revitalize a declining area, using public funds to purchase land and prepare it for development. Redevelopment has had a major effect on the Nihonmachi community. Not only has the size of the community grown smaller, but its character has changed from a primarily residential area to a tourist and commercial oriented area. The administration of the redevelopment process has been an area that the Redevelopment Agency has been criticized about. Evictions, use of eminent domain by the Redevelopment Agency, and claims of inadequate community input into the redevelopment planning process have caused an adversary relationship between the Redevelopment Agency and some community members in Nihonmachi. Others in the Community do not necessarily hold this same feeling towards the Redevelopment Agency, but do show concern about the changes happening in Japantown. In times of scarce housing, rising housing costs, and declining governmental expenditures, any kind of governmental involvement in housing brings attention to itself. Businessmen, government officials, politicians, and ordinary citizens all become involved in the process, This high visibility along with a high level of involvement of many parties make redevelopment an interesting and controversial topic. It is my intention that this study be used as an educational tool by the Nihonmachi community, and other communities undergoing redevelopment, to help them to be able to take constructive action to, see that redevelopment is done in a manner that protects their interests and rights.