The City of Santa Maria is constructing a new Japanese Community Center.
This center will honor Japanese migrants who helped develop the region’s agriculture. The City has partnered with the local nonprofit Japanese Community Center to build it on South Bradley Road.
Dennis Smitherman with Santa Maria Recreation and Parks said the center will have a large gallery with artwork.
“They'll be able to just play memorabilia from the past and really educate our newer community members and our youth on how important the Japanese community and culture has been here, as it affects Santa Maria and our local areas,” Smitherman said.
The building will be 10,000 square feet, making it Santa Maria’s largest community center. It will have a room that can hold over 400 people and a Japanese garden.
“We are hearing a lot about the need for additional space for activities and events, and so this is going to have a major impact on our community,” Smitherman said.
Local and federal grants are funding the project, with construction expected to be completed in 2025.
