100 South block now called Japantown

The block just west of the Salt Palace has a new name.

The Salt Lake City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved an honorary name change for 100 South between 200 West and 300 West. It will now bear signs declaring it Japantown Street.

The audience greeted the vote with applause.

Japantown once thrived with Japanese-owned shops and businesses, but expansion of the Salt Palace Convention Center and other development in the area has relegated most of that to history.

Today, the block is the site of two Japanese religious centers: the Japanese Church of Christ and the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple.

Japanese-American community leaders say the new street name could be the first step to revitalizing the area as a cultural jewel.

"This could be a must-stop for all tourists," said the Rev. Luke Choi, senior pastor of the Japanese Church of Christ. "It could be a big cultural center. It will be just a win-win-win situation for the Japanese-American community, for our church and for the greater Salt Lake community."

Retired 3rd District Judge Raymond S. Uno said the new name will be unveiled at the opening ceremonies of the Japanese community's festival April 28 at about 11 a.m.

Honorary street names do not change postal delivery or other services and are merely symbolic, not official. The council most recently renamed a west-side street after fallen Marine and Salt Lake native Adam Galvez.