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Japantown Peace Plaza Expansion Joint Replacement

Completed and Open to the Public January 15, 2021!

The Peace Plaza underwent minor construction in Fall 2020 to replace expansion joints. The expansion joints were funded equally by Rec Park and MTA at a cost of approximately $350,000 .

Japantown showing areas of construction along edges of plaza in red and blue that will be affected

The plaza will also be undergoing a major renovation in 2024-2025. For more information on this active project, please visit the project page: Japantown Peace Plaza (Peace Plaza) Renovation Project .

Get Out and Play!

Thanks for supporting park improvements in your San Francisco parks! To stay informed and involved, we encourage you to subscribe to Rec and Park eNews . If you would like to receive updates about all our active capital improvement projects, please visit the News Flash section of our webpage and subscribe to “Rec Park Improvements | All Project Updates,” or pick-and-choose your subscriptions by project name.

You can also explore Rec and Park volunteer opportunities – We have park needs in every corner of the city and volunteer opportunities that are as diverse as your interests, skills, and abilities. Have fun in your parks, and get out and play!

Project Updates

Japantown Peace Plaza Renovation | Construction update, May 2026

Night work starts again on May 20 and will continue intermittently throughout May and June. Weeknight work hours are 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. from Monday evening through Saturday morning. Expect the most noise from this round of night work over the Read on…

Japantown Peace Plaza Renovation | Construction update, April 15, 2026

Night Work will be starting April 16 and will continue intermittently throughout April and May. Weeknight hours are 11PM to 7AM from Monday evening through Saturday morning. Please be advised that we expect the noisiest periods of work will occur the Read on…

Japantown Peace Plaza Renovation | Construction update, April 2026

The sidewalk on Post Street is now 98% completed. Pending final inspections, the sidewalk will be accessible again in April in time for Cherry Blossom Festival 2026. Please be advised that we expect night work and limited Saturday construction work in Read on…

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FAQ

What is happening at the Peace Plaza? Why is this work needed?

  • The edges of the plaza have some water leakage that affects the parking garage below.
  • This construction seeks to replace the waterproofing material along the expansion joints, which connect the malls and the plaza together.
  • This is preliminary work that comes before the larger Peace Plaza renovation project that is being led by Mike Degregorio, RPD Capital Project Manager; the funding for this project is separate from the 2020 bond.

How and when will this work impact access at the Peace Plaza?

  • The work is relatively low impact; it is an infrastructure maintenance task, not a new park nor renovation.
  • Construction will commence begin 11/3 and proceed through 12/28, dates are subject to change.
  • Work on the West Mall will run the month of November, 2020 and work on the East Mall will occur in December, 2020; dates are subject to change.
  • Construction work hours are typically 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM; for specific areas like mall entrances and ADA ramps, work hours will start and end earlier in the day to mitigate disruptions during business hours.
  • As dates change and specific closures are scheduled, information will be shared with the community and on-site with signage.

Who will be affected by this work?

  • ADA access throughout the plaza will be provided with signage and marked detours as needed; the goal is to maximize ADA access throughout the duration of the project.

  • The two primary groups affected will be: 1) regular park users, as the edges of the plaza will be fenced off and a ramp down to Geary will be closed for a few hours on a couple days, and 2) the businesses in the malls, as the work will temporarily limit (but not close) access through the main doorways off the plaza.

  • Construction will fully coincide with “Picnic on the Plaza” and “Restaurants on the Plaza”, or any other permitted events.

  • The area of disturbance be localized to either side of the plaza only one portion at a time; construction crews will minimize fenced and screened work areas as much as possible, minimizing impacts on all typical public use and permitted events.

  • Access throughout the SFMTA parking garage below the Peace Plaza will not be affected.