Street project aims to change perspective of Chinatown in Salinas

Volunteers put up a mural of faces on a building in Chinatown near what used to be the Swinging Door.

The pictures are of people who live, work and volunteer in Chinatown. It’s large enough to see from Market Street.

Even organizers said they hope it sends the message that Chinatown is not just a place where bad things happen.

“If we can try to dispel the dark image that Chinatown has, maybe people would be more apt to come down here and help out,” said Jeff Lehar, Project Coordinator for CSUMB Chinatown. “If everybody helped a little bit, that’s the only way it’s gonna change. It’s not gonna change by just thinking Chinatown is bad stay out of there.”

The mural is temporary and will naturally erode from the weather and sun.