Wah Luck House For Sale (6th and H St NW)

Does anyone know if this building has to remain as affordable elderly housing or can it be bought and torn down?

I don’t know, but the Wah Luck House doesn’t seem to be part of historic Downtown, under this map of the Office of Planning:

http://www.planning.dc.gov/planning/frames.asp?doc=/planning/lib/planning/preservation/historic_district_maps/downtown.pdf

Seems like someone could raze and rebuild with less hassle than other sites in the neighborhood.

Also, seems like there are alot of rowhouse renovations going on in Chinatown. We think some family got evicted last Tuesday, all of their furniture was kicked to the curb. Plus there was a fire last week too. Lots of Chinese residents are being put out. Not a good thing.

where will the people go that live there now?

This would make me very sad to see our neighbors displaced. I love living in a neighborhood that includes several generations.

I hate to say it, but kiss the building and residents goodbye. The death of chinatown in anything but name is slated for 2010.

This has been a long time coming — I have known about the end of the HUD contract for more than 5 years. It was no secret to anyone.

I am very saddened by this, but also know that short of a sale to a very wealthy philanthropist, this building will convert to expensive condos (or be torn down and rebuilt as it is not historic.)

The residents will move to Wheaton/Rockville/Fairfax/Annandale where the Chinese community thrives.

I remember Chinatown in the 70s — the markets, the first dim-sum in DC, real new years parades — and hundreds of Chinese living and thriving in a large community.

I am sad, but realistic.

I suppose the city could include some wording in the development deal that would mandate including subsidized housing, but how likely is that to happen? Hint: not at all.

I believe that the residents are going to purchase the Wah Luck House and continue to live there.

The Wah Luck house was built using federal government tax incentives which gave investors an opportunity to make money in the future IF they first provided moderate income housing. As the end of the contract period approaches, it is time for the investors to make their money.

I certainly hope that the current government leaders (local and federal) are equally wise. Surely we can figure out a way to reward long term investors, grandfather in moderate income housing for existing residents, and create housing opportunities for upsale living for new residents.

A challenge? Most certainly!

Possible? Indeed, our city has the brain power … let us put out talents to work on the common good!

I am so saddened by this. IMO, this building was the soul of China town. I hope city leaders convene to mandate that any future development on the site is low-income housing.

This is truly sad.

In the future, the only item identifying Chinatown, will be the arch over H street….and will wind up looking very out of place.

Perhaps the residents will purchase the property.

Maybe Douglas Jemal will buy it and keep IT empty too.

c’mon people – there’s no reason to have a retirement home in the downtown of a city. as much as people rail against luxury condos, they will attract residents who will frequent local businesses. people on fixed incomes really shouldn’t be living in one of the most expensive areas of town.