Downtown Sacramento Foundation Launches Campaign To Support Friends of Sacramento Chinatown Square in Time for Big Day of Giving
Partnering with the Chinatown community to restore and reimagine an area rich in history
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (April 23, 2025) – Downtown Sacramento Partnership and Downtown Sacramento Foundation announced the launch of a multi-phase plan to invest in lighting and other pedestrian-oriented enhancements in downtown’s Chinatown neighborhood and support the vision of the Friends of Sacramento Chinatown Square, with Big Day of Giving serving as a catalyst for funding. The initiative honors the legacy of a community that’s long been a vital part of Sacramento’s identity and aims to enhance the daily experience of the hundreds of Chinese-American Sacramentans who call the neighborhood home, and additionally, visitors to the Chinatown Square.
Building upon various recommendations emerged through community engagement sessions in recent years, the initial investments center around the instillation of energy-efficient lighting enhancements along the interior courtyards to catalyze increased pedestrian activity and programming. Funding may also be utilized to develop concepts for the refurbishment the Chinatown gateway arch on 4th Street. The shared vision is for Chinatown to be a vibrant hub designed for wellness, community, and thriving local businesses. These public realm projects help to foster a cultural landmark that is welcoming, walkable, and rooted in local heritage, as envisioned by the community that inhabits it.
The project is being supported through the Downtown Sacramento Foundation, a public 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds services and projects that complement the efforts of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership to build a more inclusive and diverse downtown.
“Sacramento is a community which celebrates diversity and works collaboratively to invest in the neighborhoods which make up our city’s unique mosaic,” said Michael Ault, Executive Director of Downtown Sacramento Partnership, “We are honored to play a role in raising funds to support the vision of the Friends of Sacramento Chinatown Square and investing in place-based enhancements.”
“The story of Sacramento cannot be told without highlighting the incredible contributions of Chinese immigrants and Chinese-Americans,” said Phil Pluckebaum, Sacramento District 4 Councilmember, “The Gold Rush, the Transcontinental Railroad, and the regional adoption of the supermarket were all made possible by the dedication and ingenuity of Chinese-American Sacramentans. Chinatown Square is the last remnant of a once bustling Chinatown in Sacramento, and a compelling way to tell that story.”
This privately funded project is estimated to cost roughly $150,000, with the initial fundraising goal of $15,000 through Big Day of Giving.
“It is wonderful that the Downtown Sacramento Partnership and Foundation has prioritized the initiative to enhance the vitality, safety, and beauty of the pedestrian experience at Chinatown Square,” said the Friends of Sacramento Chinatown Square, “We incite others in the community to join us to revitalize this important landmark of Sacramento’s heritage and future.”
For information and details about the project, as well as Downtown Sacramento Foundation, visit DowntownSac.org.