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after
This month , after the community alerted us about needed repairs at the Japantown Peace Plaza , we got to work ASAP to make the needed fixes .
The plaza , located at Post and Buchanan streets , serves as a popular community gathering spot in the heart of Japantown . But there was a problem : More than 200 of the tiles that cover the ground were either broken or displaced , creating an eyesore and a potential tripping hazard . And with the annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival fast approaching , Public Works took action .
In less than a month , three of our cement finishers from the Bureau of Urban Forestry replaced and sealed the tiles and now are working to have all of them polished and safely secured in time for the busy springtime festivities .
The 50th annual Cherry Blossom Festival will take place on the weekends of April 8-9 and April 15-16 in the area bounded by Laguna , Fillmore , Geary and Bush streets . The festival is one of California ’ s most prominent celebrations of Asian traditions and fills the streets with food booths , cultural performances , martial arts , live music and much more . Join us for the Grand Parade on Sunday , April 16 , beginning at 1 p . m . The parade starts at City Hall and ends in Japantown .
San Francisco ’ s Japantown is sandwiched between the Western Addition and Lower Pacific Heights . The area emerged as a safe haven for Japanese immigrants after thousands of residents were displaced from their original homes in the Chinatown and South Park neighborhoods following the 1906 Earthquake and Fire . Many Japanese-inspired churches , shrines , restaurants and shops opened to cater to the community and the area quickly flourished to become one of San Francisco ’ s most historic and culture-rich neighborhoods enjoyed by residents and visitors .
March 2017 - San Francisco Public Works Newsletter