After years of planning, fundraising and construction, Santa Maria's Japanese Community Center is nearly complete and city officials say the new cultural hub could open its doors by the end of this year or early 2026.

Located at Enos Ranch Park, just west of the historic Smith-Enos House, the 7,800-square-foot facility is designed to celebrate Japanese-American heritage while offering space for educational programs, cultural events and community gatherings.

The center is a collaborative project between the City of Santa Maria and Japanese Community Center, Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to preserving the legacy of Japanese Americans in the region.

“We are about 90% complete and we’re really working on just the finishing touches at this point, adding elements that make it accessible f

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