Video with English & Chinese subtitles: San Francisco leader break ground on historic Chinatown park renovation

Video with English & Chinese subtitles: San Francisco leader break ground on historic Chinatown park renovation 影片有中英文字幕: 舊金山領導人為具有歷史意義的華埠公園翻新工程破土動工

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CBS News: San Francisco breaks ground on major Portsmouth Square renovation after nearly 50 years By Maddie White June 9, 2026 / 5:40 PM PDT / CBS San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO — City leaders in San Francisco’s Chinatown on Tuesday broke ground on the first major renovation of Portsmouth Square in nearly 50 years, marking a major overhaul of one of the city’s most historic public spaces.

The project is being framed as both a preservation effort and a forward-looking investment in the heart of Chinatown. Officials say it will modernize the square while recognizing its layered significance in San Francisco history.

Starting Wednesday, construction fencing will go up, and the park will close for an estimated two-year renovation.

Still, the project is not without concerns. Chinatown advocate Wilma Pang, who she says is often called the “unofficial mayor” of Portsmouth Square, questioned some of the design choices.

“I like the Chinese [design] like that you know?” she said of the current structure.

Among the most debated elements is the planned removal of the pedestrian bridge over Kearny Street. While preservation advocates raised objections, city survey data showed 77% of residents supported its demolition.

“I like this bridge, but what can you do? I think of the majority of people, you know?” Pang said.

She also expressed concern about the impact of the park’s two-year closure on residents who rely on it as a daily meeting place.

“We have to find somewhere else,” Pang said.

At the ceremonial groundbreaking, the square — often referred to as the “living room of Chinatown” — was filled with celebration, including a countdown and symbolic dirt turning.

“Five, four, three, two, one!” shouted guests as the ceremonial groundbreaking unfolded.

The event also featured traditional performance elements, including a vibrant dancer, as city officials and community members marked the beginning of the project.

“I’ve been to a lot of groundbreakings, but this one’s special,” said one speaker at the podium.

Established in 1833, Portsmouth Square is considered one of the oldest public spaces in San Francisco, predating much of the modern city. Mayor Daniel Lurie emphasized its historical importance during remarks at the site.

“The first American flag-raising in our city happened right here,” Lurie said.

He also outlined what residents can expect once the renovation is complete, including new amenities aimed at making the square more accessible and usable for families and community events.

“There will be an upgraded fitness facility, an approved playground for kids and an elevated stage for community events,” he said proudly.

For many in the neighborhood, Portsmouth Square has long functioned as more than a park; it has served as a daily gathering place, particularly for seniors living in dense housing nearby.

One city worker, Tyrone Jue, reflected on personal memories tied to the space. He said it evokes memories of his grandfather.

“I would still walk him down here so he could meet up with friends and play Chinese chess,” said Jue, who works as the director of the San Francisco Environment Department.

He said the square has historically provided critical breathing room in an area where many residents live in small single-room units.

“If you can imagine living in a space that’s 6 by 10 feet, you want to come out and stretch and enjoy company — This is the place to do that,” he said.

He also pointed to the park’s importance during emergencies, noting planned upgrades could add resilience during extreme weather events.

“In an extreme heat or wildfire event, you don’t have anywhere to go. Now, they’re going to have a cooling center with air conditioning,” he said.

Mayor Lurie closed his remarks on an optimistic note, celebrating both the project and the community.

“Let’s go Chinatown, and let’s go San Francisco!”

Beyond its Chinatown legacy, Portsmouth Square also holds lesser-known significance in Black history. It was once the site of California’s first public school, an institution linked in part to William Leidesdorff, an Afro-Caribbean entrepreneur and early civic leader.

A historian described the square’s historic role in shaping equal access in early California.

“This was the only place in the world that treated everybody the same,” said historian Gregory Richardson of San Francisco African American Historical and Cultural Society.

Leidesdorff also operated a hotel nearby, further cementing his role in early San Francisco commerce and civic life.

“This is what America is all about,” said Richardson.

The renovation will be funded largely through developer impact fees and San Francisco’s 2020 Health and Recovery bond.

舊金山近50年來首度大規模翻新樸茨茅斯廣場 正式動工
作者：Maddie White
2026年6月9日 / 下午5:40（太平洋時間）CBS舊金山報導

舊金山 —— 週二，舊金山唐人街的市府領導人為樸茨茅斯廣場近50年來首次大規模翻新工程舉行動工儀式，標誌著這座城市最具歷史意義的公共空間之一將迎來全面改造。

該項目被定位為既是保護歷史的努力，也是對唐人街核心地區的前瞻性投資。官員表示，工程將在現代化廣場的同時，彰顯其在舊金山歷史中的多層意義。

自週三起，施工圍欄將豎起，公園將關閉進行預計兩年的翻新工程。

儘管如此，該項目並非沒有引發擔憂。被稱為樸茨茅斯廣場「非官方市長」的唐人街倡導者龐玉儀質疑了部分設計選擇。

「我喜歡現在這種中國式的設計，你知道嗎？」她在談及現有結構時說道。

爭議最大的項目之一是計劃拆除跨越卡尼街的行人天橋。儘管保護倡導者提出反對意見，但市府調查數據顯示，77%的居民支持拆除該橋。

「我喜歡這座橋，但又能怎樣呢？我想大多數人是這麼想的，你知道嗎？」龐玉儀說。

她也對公園關閉兩年對依賴此地作為日常聚會場所的居民所帶來的影響表示擔憂。

「我們得找別的地方了，」龐玉儀說。

在動工儀式上，這座常被稱為「唐人街客廳」的廣場充滿了慶祝氣氛，包括倒數計時和象徵性的鏟土儀式。

「五、四、三、二、一！」隨著動工儀式展開，嘉賓們齊聲高喊。

活動還包括傳統表演元素，一位充滿活力的舞者登場，市府官員與社區成員共同見證項目的啟動。

「我參加過很多動工儀式，但這次與眾不同，」一位講者在台上說道。

樸茨茅斯廣場建於1833年，被視為舊金山最古老的公共空間之一，歷史比現代城市的大部分地區還要悠久。市長丹尼爾·盧里在現場發言中強調了其歷史重要性。

「我們城市第一次升起美國國旗就是在這裡，」盧里說。

他還概述了翻新完成後居民可以期待的變化，包括新增的設施，旨在讓廣場更適合家庭和社區活動使用。

「這裡將會有一個升級的健身設施、一個全新的兒童遊樂區，以及一個用於社區活動的升級舞台，」他自豪地說。

對許多社區居民而言，樸茨茅斯廣場長久以來不僅僅是一個公園；它一直是日常聚會場所，尤其是對住在附近密集住宅中的長者來說。

一位市府員工蒂龍·朱回憶起與這個空間相關的個人記憶。他說這讓他想起自己的祖父。

「我還是會陪他走下來，讓他能和朋友見面、下中國象棋，」現任舊金山環境局局長的朱說道。

他表示，這個廣場在歷史上為許多住在狹小單人房的居民提供了至關重要的喘息空間。

「想像一下你住在一個6英尺乘10英尺的空間裡，你會想出來伸展一下、享受與人相處的時光——這裡就是最好的地方，」他說。

他還指出該公園在緊急情況下的重要性，並表示計劃中的升級工程能在極端天氣事件發生時增加應對能力。

「在極端炎熱或野火事件發生時，你無處可去。現在，這裡將會有一個配備空調的避暑中心，」他說。

盧里市長以樂觀的語氣結束了他的發言，既慶祝了這項工程，也讚揚了社區。

「加油唐人街，加油舊金山！」

除了在唐人街的歷史意義外，樸茨茅斯廣場在黑人社區歷史中也具有較少為人知的重要性。這裡曾是加州第一所公立學校的所在地，該校部分與非裔加勒比海裔企業家、早期公民領袖威廉·萊德斯多夫有關聯。

一位歷史學家描述了該廣場在塑造早期加州平等接受教育機會方面的歷史作用。

「這是世界上唯一一個對所有人都一視同仁的地方，」舊金山非裔美國人歷史與文化學會的歷史學家格雷戈里·理查森說。

萊德斯多夫還在附近經營一家酒店，進一步鞏固了他在舊金山早期商業和公民生活中的地位。

「這就是美國的精神所在，」理查森說。

該翻新工程的資金主要來自開發商影響費以及舊金山2020年的健康與復甦債券。