Chinatown Heartache

It’s a shame that a successful plan for reinvigorating and revitalizing Chinatown couldn’t have been accomplished without displacing a majority of the Chinese-operated establishments. I think most people would disagree with Mr. Cheng–simply having some Chinese decorative motifs on buildings and Chinese characters on the signs does not a Chinatown make. It would be nice if both advocacy groups could come together and successfully lobby for and implement a plan that encourages Chinese entrepeneurs to open up businesses in the area and reclaim the “China” in Chinatown. Sadly, though, I’m afraid that ship has sailed.

This dispute has nothing to do with “preserving Chinatown.” There is only 1 reason why any of these people want to be included in discussions with developers: kickbacks. And a few people are being left out, boo-hoo.

Gould said he offered the steering committee a “benefits package” as a good-neighbor gesture. He offered $1 million for affordable housing in Chinatown, 13,000 square feet of space for community activities, $100,000 in grants for programs and 10 free parking spots for committee members, according to documents submitted to the D.C. Council.

Gould also pledged $600,000 to the Chinese Community Church for roof repairs, a discount to Asian retailers who might want to lease retail space in the new building and $850,000 to a nonprofit group in Adams Morgan for affordable housing

I agree–I find it hard to believe that anyone involved thinks Chinatown still exists or that there’s a chance to bring it back.

I think it is highly ironic that Tony Cheng’s property at 925 Fifth Street NW has a broken roll down door leaving the area open to use by drug dealers and prostitutes. Both he and the City have been contacted about sealing up the entrance but nothing has been done despite numerous promises. If he was truly committed to the community, he would not leave his vacant property in a state where it becomes a drug nuisance to the residents in the Chinatown neighborhood. And, I wonder, why has zoning not inspected or issued a violation even after people have complained to DC Government?

“This dispute has nothing to do with “preserving Chinatown.” There is only 1 reason why any of these people want to be included in discussions with developers: kickbacks.”

I think you’re right. I noticed in the WaPo article the only mention in the plans for the retainment or encouragement of Chinese-owned businesses in the area was tax breaks for entrepeneurs who wish to operate Asian-type businesses.

Well whoo-hoo. I’m sure that’ll bring the the Chinese entrepeneurs back in droves.

Why do I envision street level retail in this building as lacking anything remotely Chinese? I see…a Baja Fresh, a Crate and Barrel, a Sprint Mobile store and some pseudo-trendy restaurant/bar named “Luminosity” or something. It’s nice that there’s economic development of this magnitude going on in the center of the city, but “Chinatown” it ain’t.

I like Thai food better than Chinese anyways. I think it was a vietnamese hairdresser who once told me: “Chinese food make you stomach go arrrrrghh!” true that

I was not aware that a developer is allowed to give a price break to someone based on their race. Interesting.

Ben,

I totally agree. The development will have a nouveau-Americanized version of ethnic food (like Baja Fresh or Sala Thai [sorry sala thai fans]) and at least one bank and a cell phone place.

I think its a lost cause trying to create a real Chinatown. I say scrap the requirements for Chinese lettering and light posts. Its almost insulting. That’s why the blog is called Penn Quarter Living. Semi-ironic since the city’s original Chinatown was atop what’s now the Archives-Navy Mem-Penn Quarter Metro station up until the 1930s when it was forced to move north.

Did anyone else see the mayhem that occurred around 9:00 p.m. on Monday night on 7th Street between G and H Streets NW?

As I was walking home I saw cops with guns drawn chasing a group of African American teens through the streets. There were several cop cars on hand as well as police on bicyles. I saw one of these teens get caught, thrown on the ground and placed in handcuffs. Based on the amount of chaos, I assume this was more than a minor infraction. Anyone have more info?

Mmm Baja Fresh, crate and Barrel, Ruby Tuesday… Goodbye Chinatown. Hello Suburbia.

I live in this area and there has been active drug dealing every night. I sincerely doubt it was a minor infraction. The police are trying very hard to help us take back this neighborhood and are trying to pick up as many users/dealers/lookouts as possible. If there were handcuffs, he was likely dealing or using.

Yesterday, two punks tried to intimidate the residents of our condo.

It was probably the same teens I saw at 8 pm hanging out in front of the Galley Place metro when I was coming home. They were loud, rude, aggressiveness but thats pretty much par for the course every night so I didn’t think it was anything out of the ordinary. It will be interesting to see how these types of things evolve over the next 5 years as the gentrification continues.

“I think its a lost cause trying to create a real Chinatown. I say scrap the requirements for Chinese lettering and light posts. Its almost insulting.”

It’s insulting, and it smacks of some contrived forced-ambiance BS you frequently see in suburban “town centers” (a la Reston, Rio, Rockville, etc.) The most “Chinese”-type aspect of Chinatown now is the arch. Come back in a few years and out-of-town visitors will be asking why there is a giant Chinese arch in front of TGIFridays.

Who speaks for chinese community: can’t there be several voices here? Even communities have reasonable citizens who disagree with each other.

What does Chinatown represent to the chinese community: largely, their retirement nest-egg, once they sell their properties.

If I were a long-time chinese resident, I would question whether these quasi-governmental Chinese authorities that place all these use-restrictions on property are actually boosting property values or hindering it. I imagine most developers would pay more to me, to not deal with signage, design, and even structural requirements.

If there was a Chinese marketplace identity to protect, then these restrictions would make sense. But if the majority of Chinese businesses are bailing, exactly what is being protected?

[…] is a small discussion going on in the Chinatown Heartache postregarding a police response to some crime in the vicinity of the Verizon Center last night.  I […]