As Los Angeles neared its bicentennial in 1981, a Japanese-American community group asked the Los Angeles-born Noguchi in 1979 about contributing to a revitalization project in the Little Tokyo area. Noguchi devised a very open plan for a red brick plaza with ledges and outcroppings for seating along its periphery, as it would be used for public events and performances. Along with a circular fountain feature and planters with vegetation, Noguchi included two granite elements (entitled To the Issei) on a fanned, central riser, which act as a theatrical backdrop to the community’s activities.