San Francisco Japantown Task Force

DATA SHEET

Place: Japan Center Garage Co.

Address: Beneath the Japan Center, Between Laguna and Webster, Post and Geary

Visual Description:

The Japan Center Garage Co. is a non-profit organization designated by the City and County of San Francisco to operate and maintain the vast 350,000 sq. ft. parking garage that lies beneath the Japan Center mall. The entire parking facility is comprised of two separate garages – the Japan Center Garage, which holds 750 spaces on two separate levels under the Japan Center; and the Fillmore St. Addition Annex Garage, which contains 170 spaces beneath the AMC Kabuki Theatre. The Japan Center Garage Co. supports various organizations and events around the community, such as the JDM car show (see data sheet).

History:

The Japan Center Garage was officially built and constructed along with the rest of the Japan Center in 1967 and was first owned by National-Braemar, a Los Angeles-based real-estate company that spearheaded construction of the Japan Center. Because the garage was built with public bonds, a separate non-profit organization known as the Japan Center Parking Co. was created to operate the garage and make sure the bonds were repaid. After the rights to the garage changed hands a few more times, the bonds were finally repaid in 1998 and after negotiations with local community leaders, the city agreed to designate the Japan Center Garage Co. as overseer of the garage and to insure that its profits would be used for the benefit of the community. Due to frequent leakages from water running through the Peace Plaza (which lies on top of the garage), the entire parking facility underwent two separate waterproofing renovations in 1986 and 2001.

Significance:

Cultural

Recognition of Significance:

Plaque within Japan Center Garage

Sources:

Richard Hashimoto, President, Japan Center Garage Co.

Other Comments:

The Japan Center Garage Co., although not recognized as a cultural entity itself, is critical to preserving Japantown because it sponsors various programs and organizations that both produce culture and help to preserve it. Furthermore, the garage supports the bulk of the business traffic that flows through the Japan Center, which itself promotes culture through various shops, restaurants, and wares.

Prepared By: Richard Hashimoto Date Prepared: 10/29/04