Red River of cement

July 23, 2010, a truckload of red cement.

The square area around each the lamp post foundation is filled in with red cement.

A wood block with chinese characters is pressed into place.

Members of the BIA and fundraising community leave handprints.

The blocks have four wishes: Longevity, Prosperity, Luck, and Happiness.

Nothing like getting your hands dirty ...

Gathered fundraisers and members of the BIA.

Grace Xin, Exec.Dir. of the Somerset/Chinatown BIA photographing the group.

Sidewalks restored

Work crews have laid the curbs for the restoration of Somerset Street under the arch. The picture shows some of the sidewalk paving being installed. The granite pavers right at the foot of the arch are visible at the base of the columns, which have been crated and wrapped to protect them from construction damage.

On each side of the arch will be pedestrian-scaled light fixtures. They will be the first of the new ones that will eventually be installed throughout Chinatown. In 2011, the section from Preston up to Booth will get the new sidewalks, landscaping, and light fixtures.