A comprehensive plan to revitalize Marysville’s Historic Chinatown, known as the Chinese Blueprint, remains several years from completion, though public officials and community leaders recently expressed optimism regarding the project. The blueprint, which proposes renovations and improvements throughout the district, is scheduled for its final review in December 2027, with stakeholders hopeful for initial implementation to begin by 2030.
Jon Lim, president of the Marysville Chinese Community, updated city leaders on the plan during the last city council meeting. Lim articulated his goal, stating, “I would like to see some of what is in the blueprint begin by 2030,” noting the significance of that year marking the 150th Anniversary of the Bok Kai Parade. Until then, Lim will continue to gather data from the community, refine the proposed plan, and pursue research grants to support the initiative he plans to present to the city.
The immediate focus for the Marysville City Council and the Chinese community is to define the project's precise timeline and scope. Both Lim and Marysville City Manager Jim Schaad highlighted the critical role of Plaza Park, often referred to as Bok Kai Park, for the project's success. Lim emphasized that attracting the broader community to Plaza Park could stimulate new businesses. Schaad concurred, stating that improvements to the park could generate additional commercial activity in the downtown area and encourage people to live there.
Schaad outlined several key elements still needing definition, including the concrete borders of Chinatown, the submission of private investments, and the approval of design criteria. The city manager clarified that these criteria must address the aesthetic of building exteriors, specify elements of Chinese culture required for preservation, and detail plans for public infrastructure such, as streets, street signs, and parks. Once these definitions are established, Schaad noted, the city can then explore funding opportunities, similar to its approach with the city’s overall strategic plan.
Ideas for the blueprint have been collected from nearly 5,000 surveys submitted by community stakeholders and residents. Kary Hauck, CEO of Sapphire Marketing and Sign Company, reported that feedback from these surveys and stakeholder meetings, which included property owners and members of the Marysville Chinese community, indicated a strong desire for more cultural events and improved educational resources on Chinese customs and the Bok Kai Temple. Additional community support was expressed for installing bilingual signs in the district, decorative perimeter gates for cultural events, and placards honoring Chinatown’s history and historical figures on buildings. Other proposed design changes include workshops, culinary tours, cooking demonstrations, lanterns over streets, and the incorporation of specific design elements into future major remodels and construction.
The Chinese Blueprint itself is financed through a $350,000 grant from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), which describes its grants as “strategic investments for communities today and into the future.” Both Hauck and Lim indicated that community response to the ongoing efforts has been largely positive, with Lim affirming that, “Overall, the community has been happy with what we’ve been doing so far.” The next steps involve finalizing the project’s scope and design criteria before moving to secure comprehensive funding and begin implementation.
