Salinas Chinatown Updates & Events
Summer 2023 Issue
Dear ACE friends and supporters:
Our summer newsletter includes updates on the Republic Cafe and upcoming events:
REPUBLIC CAFE
Quick Update
Escrow on the City’s purchase of the Republic Cafe building is expected to close in mid-August 2023. [Note: this has been updated to Nov.-Dec. 2023].
The Salinas Downtown Community Board (SDCB) stakeholder community was asked by the City to prioritize Chinatown Revitalization Projects. In the 77% of the surveys returned, renovation of the Republic Cafe was ranked #1 priority.
The City of Salinas currently has funding to renovate the Republic Cafe with ACE as a partner to renovate the interior into a museum/cultural center. Capital Improvement Project Funds are available and the City intends for the Republic Cafe to receive funding now and into the future.
Soon after escrow closes, ACE expects to be able to access the building and begin design planning.
GRANTS
We are grateful for support from the Community Foundation for Monterey County and for renewal of the Community Impact Grant for 2023-2024. This will help fund ACE staffing and educational programs for the coming year. Plans are already underway!
ARCHIVE
ACE’s Archive Committee has been researching, labeling, and cataloging our image collection. We are now able to do this because we have a dedicated office and storage space. Portions of the collection will eventually be shared online in an archival platform to be accessible to the community for viewing and research. We are applying to MCGives for funding to support this project and website upgrades.
ACE & PARTNER EVENTS THROUGH SEPTEMBER
Obon Festival July 30—coming up very soon!
Friends of Salinas Public Library (FOSPL) Book Depot Saturday Sale: August 5,
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (early access from 9 to 10 a.m. for FOSPL members). Located at No. 7 Station Place, Salinas Train Station. Join FOSPL for as little as $15. See Membership page for details.
The Our Salinas Chinatown book event and reading will take place at Downtown Book & Sound on the First Friday of September, 2023. Time TBA. We’ll send you an update!
Monterey County Historical Society BBQ, Saturday, Sept. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 333 Boronda Rd., Salinas. ACE will have a table there.
OUR SALINAS CHINATOWN
Our Salinas Chinatown book sold out! However, we ordered a reprint and just received the new copies. The book is now available for you to purchase at Downtown Book & Sound, Star Market, and soon on the ACE website.
JOIN ACE
ACE looks forward to a season of change in Chinatown. We continue to receive grants for historical, cultural, and neighborhood projects; we work with service-learning students and partner with many local organizations, presenting opportunities for historical pop-ups and exhibits; and we continue to work for revitalization of Chinatown and a community based cultural center and museum in the Republic Cafe building (see our summer newsletter for updates on that). If you are interested in supporting our efforts, please join us! Help us to develop and expand our programs! Become a member and volunteer and/or donate to ACE today.
ACE Walking Tour (with interviews and videos)
