REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

 

Sakura Square for Future Generations

As of June 13, 2023

 

 

Sakura Square is an entire city block (bordered by Larimer, Lawrence, 19th and 20th streets) in downtown Denver, and an important center for Denver’s Japanese American community. The block houses the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple; Tamai Tower, a 20-story residential tower; commercial retail and office spaces, including Pacific Mercantile; a public plaza and a parking structure.

 

Sakura Square LLC, Sakura Foundation and the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple are planning for the future of Sakura Square and its sustainability for generations to come. We are committed to a process that includes community participation to ensure that the future of Sakura Square reflects our community today and appealing to future generations.

 

OUR VISION

 

Sakura Square is a cultural hub and gateway to downtown Denver, providing a vibrant community gathering place with businesses, residents and cultural organizations which honor and celebrate the history and contributions of the Japanese American experience, including Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple. Our vision includes the following:

 

  • Sustainability – To plan for future generations to ensure a balance of cultural, financial, and environmental sustainability  
  • Inclusivity – To be a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds and ethnicities to gather and contribute to Denver’s diverse community
  • Cultural Preservation – To honor and preserve the cultural heritage and rich history of the Japanese American community in Denver and the Rocky Mountain region
  • Growth – To increase and strengthen the support and interest of the intergenerational Japanese American community, Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple and greater Rocky Mountain region

 

To date, we have conducted initial stages of research and outreach, including community surveys, meetings, one-on-one conversations, and visioning workshops to gather input from the community. We are conducting ongoing due diligence and exploring sustainable development options for Sakura Square, the local community and our tenants and residents, including Pacific Mercantile.  

 

We thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to joining us to create the blueprint for the next 100 years and beyond for Sakura Square and develop a sustainable plan that honors our legacy of the Issei and Nisei generations, reflects the diverse and multicultural community of today and will be a home for our families and community for decades to come.

 

For any questions, please contact redevelopment@sakurasquare.com.

 

FAQs about Sakura Square Redevelopment

 

 

1. Why does Sakura Square need to be redeveloped?

Sakura Square was built in the early 1970s. The redevelopment of Sakura Square is necessary to ensure the future sustainability of the entire block – financially, culturally and environmentally. Currently the buildings and facilities on the block are being maintained, but due to cost and the age of the structures, is not sustainable over the long term. For Sakura Square to exist into the future, the buildings will need to be replaced, creating a thriving new space for us to continue serving the community for generations to come.

 

 

2. What is the vision for Sakura Square?

The vision for Sakura Square is to remain a cultural hub for the Japanese and Japanese American community and for people from all walks of life to honor our history, share our culture, and nurture future generations. We envision a facility that houses the Temple and a Community Center, which will be a welcoming place for community activities, events, and performances. 

The redevelopment will support and promote the growth of Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple and cultural and community organizations. We are dedicated to honoring the legacy and rich cultural heritage of the Japanese American community. The cultural identity and heritage will be preserved through design, architecture, and programming.

 

 

3. Who owns Sakura Square?

The block called Sakura Square consists of two entities. Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple is located at the corner of 20th and Lawrence Street. The Temple owns its building and the land on which it sits, which is approximately one-fourth of the block. The rest of the block is owned, maintained, and operated by Sakura Square LLC, a for-profit entity that is solely owned by Sakura Foundation, a Colorado 501(c)(3) cultural and charitable organization. Over the years, the Temple, Sakura Square LLC, and Sakura Foundation have cultivated a close and cooperative relationship. This bond continues with the redevelopment as all three entities work together to revitalize the block.

 

 

4. What is the timeline for the Redevelopment?

We are exploring options that are economically viable, sustainable, and align with our mission and vision to remain a Japanese/Japanese American cultural hub in Denver and the Rocky Mountain region. Re-envisioning a full block in a vibrant downtown area is quite an undertaking. The global pandemic, current economy, and real estate marketplace has impacted redevelopment plans and as a result, the timeline has shifted over the years. 

 

 

5. Who is leading the Sakura Square redevelopment?

​​The Sakura Square redevelopment is a partnership between Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple, Sakura Foundation, and Sakura Square LLC, who are all the current owners of the block. Together, these three partners have worked in close collaboration for 50 years and began a formalized partnership 10 years ago to work on this important project.

 

 

6. What is the current status of Sakura Square businesses, like Pacific Mercantile and Sakura House restaurant, and other tenants and residents?

We consider the commercial tenants and residents of Sakura Square as part of the community. There are no anticipated immediate changes occurring that will impact daily operations for businesses and residents at Sakura Square. We continue to keep all tenants informed of timely updates as we go through this process. 

 

 

7. Will the Cherry Blossom Festival continue to happen annually?

The Annual Cherry Blossom Festival has been a mainstay event in Denver and the Rocky Mountain region for 49 years, and is co-presented by the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple and Sakura Foundation. The plan is to continue the tradition of hosting the Annual Cherry Blossom Festival in a temporary location during the construction phase of the redevelopment. 

 

 

8. What is the process for community input for the Redevelopment?

We believe it is important to gather community insights as we work on this important project. We have conducted community feedback sessions and outreach, including a report by Gehl that incorporated input from community members that informed Sakura Square’s vision and guiding principles for the redevelopment and future programming. We will continue to provide updates on our progress and solicit input from the community, residents, tenants and stakeholders. We invite you to sign up for our email list to receive updates on the redevelopment and information about future opportunities to share your feedback: Sign Up HERE *You will be transferred to Sakura Foundation (Sakura Square’s parent organization) for e-mail sign up.

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