Chinatown Cultural Development Strategy (CCDS) Meeting at 7 pm, Wednesday, December 10 at 500 I Street, NW
DearCity Leaders, Community Friends and Neighbors,
Our highly anticipated the 3rd Public Meeting (also, the final Public Meeting before moving onto the next phase) of the Chinatown Cultural Development Strategy (CCDS) project will be opened to all community members, businesses or residents and friends and neighbors of Chinatown DC this Wednesday.As stated in the attached program flier, this event will be held at 7:00pm Wednesday, December 10th at ChineseCommunityChurch (500 I Street, NW, right at the corner of the 5th and I Streets).
Although it may be raining Wednesday night per weather forecast, we however faithfully believe the place will be warm and dry with full of holiday spirits inside the Chinese Community Church. So, join us and share your ideas.
A Special Acknowledgement:
With generous contributions from key community members, we, Chinatown Revitalization Council (CRC) are enabled to support this critical project event on Wednesday.We are especially grateful for the very kind accommodations that the Chinese Community Church (CCC) has provided throughout.Most of all, the dedication and exemplary quality works demonstrated by the Mayor’s Office on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs (OAPIA) and the Office of Planning (OP) and its consultant team under the leadership of Mayor Fenty and Council Chairman Gray have been consistently superb.Hats off to them!
There is a unique way for all the friends and neighbors in and around the Chinatown DC to celebrate the up-coming historic presidential inauguration event in January.
To offer the best image and leave long and lasting positive impression of our beloved Chinatown cultural district and its adjacent neighborhoods to many domestic and international visitors and dignitaries, what is more direct and noble way to participate in the new era of “Change” than cleaning our streets and allies (such as on the blocks of H and I between 5th, 6th and 7th Streets)?The early Saturday morning of January 17th seems to be a good window for this proposed action. Your thought?
I would like to hear from you if it is good or bad idea and whether you may like to join in this noble cause to kickoff the year of “Change”! Feel free to contact me.
Planning for the Chinatown Cultural Development Strategy (CCDS)
Public Meeting on 12/10/2008OP/OAPIA/CRC
2008 Recaps
·Mayor’s First “State of Chinatown Address 2008”
·Kick-off CCDS Project w/supports of Mayor and Council Chairman
·Chinatown Archway Restoration Walk-through
·Community Advocacy for major projects:
oChinatownPark (Res. 72) & I Street Retail/Pedestrian Corridor
oWah-Luck House & Senior Tenant Advocacy
oOldConvention Center/ New CityCenter
oCapitalCity Market/New Town Development
·Lantern Festival (pending status)
·Chinatown Neighborhood and API Community Public Safety Drive
·Vote Drive – New Precinct 143
·Other Advocacy and Promotion Efforts for Chinatown Community Members
Identify Opportunities for Program Enhancement – Open to Suggestions
2009 Goals – Open to Suggestions
Adjournment
CRC October 27, 2008 Meeting Minutes
Chinatown Revitalization Council
Date: Monday, October 27, 2008
By: Dorothy Deng, Secretary and Deputy General Counsel
October 27, 2008Meeting Minutes
Alexander (Alex) Chi, Chairman of CRC called the meeting to order at 7:05pm.
1.Review September 24th Meeting Minutes
ðOn page 2, item C of the September 25, 2007 meeting minutes; substitute “all participants” with “the majority of the participants”.
2.Key Program Events/Activities Updates
A.Chinatown Walk-Through
èThe Walk-Through was an effort with the DC government Office of Community Relations and Service; a map of the Chinatown Walk-Through area was shown to CRC members.
3.September 25, 2007 Meeting minutes approved.
4.Chinatown Park Improvement Project
èRecap of the disagreement between Mr. Reinhardt of BID and Terry Lynch (Executive Director of Downtown Cluster of Congregations) led consensus of community participants from the last meeting regarding the project Phase I starting time. The disagreement urged the CRC to write a letter to the BID and National Park Service to request a commitment to begin project Phase I by April 15th, 2008.
èRepresentative of the Neighborhood Watch said that all parties are still attempting to reach consensus regarding the April 15th start date.
èAlthough the situation was mentioned in Terry Lynch’s press release, CRC also wants to include BID’s opinion.
5.Status of Fun Fair Video Store
èSarah Lattermer, Director of the Office of Community Relations and Service, reported that Fun Fair video store is permanently shut down to deter unwanted activity. CRC reaffirms that it is not against small businesses, but only against businesses which associate with unwanted activities.
èThe police said that there have been lots of arrests around the Fun Fair video store area, but the number of arrests has dropped down with lighting improvement.
6.Press Interviews
èAccording to the State Department, outside foreign press has used Chinatown as an example for government agencies working together with community members to revitalize a historic landmark. The CRC was also interviewed by student journals.
7.Issues—Chinatown restaurant owner’s complaint regarding loss business
ðMr. Kim, Schezule Gallery Restaurant’s owner who said that there were 24 Chinese restaurants around the Chinatown area, now has only 14 restaurants left. His complaints include the following.
A.No affordable rent
èThe rent has gone up 6 times around the Chinatown area, and there are no rent subsidies for business owners. As a result, lost of Chinese restaurants couldn’t compete with big chain restaurants and had to leave the Chinatown area.
B.Negative press release
èThe owner claims that there has been lots of unfair press release throughout the years, which created negative images for Chinese restaurants in Chinatown.
C.No grace period or warning for citations of improvement
èWhen the restaurant violates certain regulations, the DCRA provides no warning or grace period before shutting down the restaurant. The owner claims that on the Friday before the cherry blossom festival in previous year, the DCRA came to inspect his restaurants, and they were consequently shut down for 5 days.
D.Limited parking
èThe restaurant owner also claims that the parking space is too limited around Chinatown, which discourages people to come.
8.Introduction of City’s First Chinatown Planning Study—“Chinatown CulturalDevelopment Strategy (CCDS): by Honorable Vincent Gray, Chairman of the DC Council
ðChairman Gray said the CCDS is about how to bring people together and have a common vision of Chinatown. He hopes Chinatown gets the attention it deserves. The CCDS is now ready to begin and the DC government promises to help the development of Chinatown. He wishes the community to part of building the future of Chinatown through the CCDS.
9.CCDS Project Overview
ðThe office planning team will work with the APO, which has contributed to the start of the project.
ðThe design issue of the CCDS is to find the balance of Chinese elements, actual land use, and distinctive identity of Chinatown. For example, how to identify new retail opportunities for Chinatown. The office planning team will host major stake holders (i.e. residents of Chinatown, developers, property owners) meeting throughout the process.
10.CCDS Project Presentation
ðPresented by the manager of CCDS
11.Public Discussions on CCDS
ðMr. Liu said that the issue about Chinatown is more complex than it seems to be because lots of developers took over Chinatown with tax incentives, which created an economic threat to small businesses with Chinese elements in Chinatown. He proposed an “incentive zone” program, including increasing the Chinatown area. He also proposed to have an “international zone” in the District to include a variety of culture elements. Mr. Liu said the DC government should encourage foreign investment to come into Chinatown. He also suggested the DC government to reach out to embassies and learn from other cities about programs to host foreign investment/ interest.
12.Other
ðThe CRC supports and wishes to work with the office planning team and APO to develop the inclusive but manageable CCDS program.
CRC October 27, 2008 Meeting Agenda
Chinatown Revitalization Council October Meeting Monday, October 27, 2008 510 I Street, N.W., Washington DC
AGENDA
Time ___ Item________________________ 7:00 pmCall to OrderChair Greetings/Overview Welcome New Participants
Public Safety Reports MPD/Asian Liaison UnitMPD/ALU
Update of Chinatown Cultural Development Strategy OP/OAPIA/CRC OAPIA Community Reports OAPIA Washington Yu Yin School UpdateLisa Chiu Founder & Board Member
600 Mass. Ave & Eye Project UpdateGould Property
Chinatown Park (Reservation 72) Improvement Project I Street Sidewalk/Retail Vision (from Chinatown East to the future DC CityCenter (West)
Other Businesses Commerce Bank, Chinatown Branch Grand Opening Help Seniors Vote on Nov. 4 Next Meeting Lead Topic? Recap Adjournment
September 29, 2008 CRC Meeting Minutes
Public Safety Reports Growing crowd of teenagers in Downtown area with potential problems waiting to happen. Club Bounce has drawn numerous complaints from residents and business in the Chinatown area. Asians have been targets for robberies because they tend to carry cash in the metropolitan area including the District and Montgomery County. Concerns about Curlew law For more questions about safety issues in the Chinatown neighborhood, please contact the city-wide officer: Sergeant Boland at Michael.boland@dc.gov
Postmortem of Chinatown Cultural Development Strategy Kick-off The 1st Public Meeting held on September 10, 2008 had very engaging discussions among community members and the consultant group, Office of Planning and OAPIA. Good attendance Next public meeting (2nd) will be held in the 3rd week of October. Goals to be accomplished: 1.Economic (for Asian-owned businesses) 2.Cultural (link with the international scene in DC) 3.Urban design (looks and character) 4.To-do list
Wah Luk House Update Report by Linda Sun from the Office of Tenant Advocate (OTA) that the Agency is available to help to Wah Luk House residents. OTA will hold its 1st Annual Tenant/Tenant Association Summit on the campus of Gallaudet University on Saturday, September 27, 2008 in the Kellogg Conference Center located at 800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002. The registration will begin at 8 am and the event will conclude at 4 pm.
OAPIA Reports Community grants FY 09 have been awarded to 8 organizations. OAPIA office will be relocated to a new office intended to provide more and better services.
Chinatown Park (Reservation 72) Improvement Project Alex Chi: had followed-up with downtown BID. Per BID, the project is awaiting approval, but should start sometime in October. Explore a forward-looking concept and plan in conjunction with Chinatown Park and underground parking, proposed closure of I Street section, between 5th & 6th Streets
DC CityCenter and Marriott HQ Hotel Update by Ibriham of DC CityCEnter Advisory Committee.
CRC Augutst 25, 2008 Meeting Agenda
_____________________________________________________________ CRC Augutst at 7 pm, Monday, August 25, 2008 Location: 510 I (Eye) Street NW, Washington DC, Main Meeting Room
August 25, 2008 CRC Meeting Minutes, as below:
By Dorothy Deng, Secretary and Deputy General Counsel
A.Public Safety Reports Since July 30, there has been 19 robbery reported near Massachusetts Avenue. Robbers snatch purses and wallets while victims get in and out of their cars. Some robbers have handguns.Robberies sometimes involve the use of stolen vehicles. The suspect (or suspects) is 16-25 years old. Out of the 19 reported incidents, 11 victims were Asian females between the age of 30 to 35, and 9 victims were tourists with out-of-state license plates. Time of occurrence: between Friday to Monday’s midnight shift (10 pm~12 am) Asians have been targets for robberies because they tend to carry cash. Asian-owned businesses usually get robbed during the opening/closing of stores. Another reason could be the language barrier, thus unable to identify the robber. Need to tell people in the area and tourists not to carry too much cash. Concerns regarding people buying single-bottled alcohol from Chinatown Market on early Sunday morning: this could be a violation of zoning regulations. For more questions about safety issues in the Chinatown neighborhood, please contact the city-wide officer: Sargent Boland at Michael.boland@dc.gov B.Postmortem of Chinatown Cultural Development Strategy Kick-off A very engaging project. The first meeting with consultants just happened before this meeting. The first big meeting is scheduled on September 10th. The consultants analyze retailers in the Chinatown area and determine what can be capitalized. Also conduct case studies of other Chinatowns. The long term goals 1.Economic (for Asian-owned businesses) 2.Cultural (link with the international scene in DC) 3.Urban design (looks and character) 4.To-do list C.Wah Luk House Update Report by Mr. Huang, the newly elected officer of Wah Luk House residents. Mr. Huang expressed residents’ fear of not knowing what’s going on. Ms. Shreve from the Office of Tenant Advocate: the office’s mission is to assure tenants’ right. Will work with the OAPIA to make sure programs are available in Chinese. Ms. Shreve explained how the federal section 8 program works. Section 8 is a rent control program, which applies to Wah Luk House. The law doesn’t require tenants to do anything. The units are subsidized. If a new owner comes in with federal subsidies, they must first notify the city. The subsidies would be converted to vouchers, and new developers would need approval from tenants before making transactions. If tenants want to purchase the unit, they can either 1) finance themselves, or 2) contract with developers. A tenants’ summit is scheduled on September 27th. The purpose is to let tenants be aware of their rights The Asian Service Center also provides legal services to residents of the Wah Luk House. D.OAPIA Reports Community grant FY 09—usually $250,000, but is increased to $290,000 this year. The deadline for grant submission if August 29th by noon. If the OAPIA works with other organizations, it may apply for a grant up to $80, 000. Chinatown Archway restoration—currently under discussion. Fiscal year 2009 funding for restoration. The actual documentations regarding the Archway has not been found. E.Chinatown Park Improvement Project Alex Chi: has followed-up with downtown BID. The project is awaiting approval, but should start between September to October.
August Meeting
Monday, August 25, 2008 510 I Street, N.W., WashingtonDC
AGENDA
TimeItem__________________________________
7:00 pmCall to OrderChair of CRC
Greetings/Overview
Welcome New Participants
Review June 30, 2008 Meeting Minutes - Website
Public Safety Reports
MPD/Asian Liaison UnitMPD/ALU
Postmortem of Chinatown Cultural Development Strategy Kick-off
The 42nd Annual 4th of July Palisades Parade with Chairman Gray
Next meeting – Monday, August 25, 2008
Recap
Adjournment
April Meeting Monday, April 28, 2008 510 I Street, N.W., Washington DC
TimeItem_____________________________________________ 7:00 pmCall to OrderDorothy Deng, Acting Chair Greetings/OverviewDeputy General Counsel Special Introductions of New Participants Review March 31st, 2008 Meeting Minutes International Lantern Festival 1st planning Meeting Public Safety Reports
Asian Liaison Unit MPD/ALU Community Relations & ServicesHiram Brewton/OCRS OAPIA Reports – Wah Luck House Julie Koo/OAPIA Linda Sun/OCTA
Noise Bill Update International Lantern Festival (ILF) Alex Chi ILF planning update Committee/work group update Organizational structure General strategy Corporate and 501C Registration Cultural Event WMACS/Ruey-Pyng Lu DC Dragon Boat FestivalCWLMW Saturday- Sunday, May 17-18, 2008 Recap & Other BusinessesDorothy Deng Adjournment
CRC March Meeting at 7 pm, Monday, March 31, 2008
March Meeting Monday, March 31, 2008 510 I Street, N.W., Washington DC AGENDA
TimeItem_____________________________________________ 7:00 pmCall to OrderDorothy Deng, Acting Chair Deputy General Counsel Greetings/Overview Introductions of New Participants Review February 25th Special Meeting Minutes DC Mayor Fenty - State of Chinatown Address Special Topics International Lantern Festival (ILF) Alex Chi ILF planning trip update Scope/venue Committee/work group setupCary Silverman/John Tipen Organizational structure General strategy First Annual Gala PlanningJeanny Ho Recap & Other BusinessesDorothy Deng 8:30 pmAdjournment
This announcement is to inform you that Mr. Alexander Y. Chi, Chairman of the Chinatown Revitalization Council (CRC), will temporarily step down as a Chairman from the CRC until July 31, 2008 as a result of the board meeting held on Thursday, March 6.
Dorothy Deng, Deputy of General Counsel of CRC, will be an acting chairperson during this time. She can be reached at 202-508-5438, or 717-440-2560, or by email: ddeng@chinatownchamber.us
We appreciate your continuing support to the CRC, and hope to see you at the next meeting.
TimeAgenda Item_____________________ ______________________ 7:00-7:05pmCall to OrderAlex Chi,Chair 主席支毅武 7:05-7:10pmReview January Meeting MinutesGeneral Council 委員會律師 7:10-7:15pmLunar New Year of the Rat Parade Brief CCBA 中華會館主席 中國城鼠年遊行慶祝活動報告 7:15-7:35pmNew BusinessCRC 委員會
Future International Lantern Festival Planning 元宵節籌畫
Help Enriching and Renewing Opportunities (HERO) Volunteers Program
HERO Awards & HERO’s Street of Chinatown 社區志工成就獎籌畫 2008 Fund Drive 2008 籌款 7:35-7:40pmPublic Safety Brief安全報告Diane Groomes 警察局副警長 Deputy Chief of MPD/ALU 市長芬提 中國城施政期望及經濟報告市長芬提
7:40-7:55pmMayor’s “State of Chinatown Address”Honorable Mayor Fenty
Chinatown and Adjacent Districts’ Planning and Economic Development
Present and future opportunities and challenges
7:55-8:05pmChinatown Cultural Development StrategyHarriet Tregoning崔勾寧 中國城文化發展策略計畫案Director of OP市發展局局長 8:05-8:10pmSpecial PresentationChinatown Community
8:10-8:25pm 貴賓報告台北經文代表處駐美代表吳釗燮
Council Members & Offical Remarks Rep. of TECRO, Dr. Wu
市議員Ward 2Hon. Jack Evans (ward 2) 市議員At-Large Hon. Kwame Brown (at-Large) 市議員 Ward 6Hon. Tommy Wells (ward 6) 市中小企業局局長Erik Moses, Dir of DSLBD
美國商業部少數族裔經濟發展局副局長董繼玲Chiling Tong, Asso.Dir/MBDA
市觀光局Leslie Graves, WCTC
市亞太裔辦公室主任Julie Koo, Dir of OAPIA
8:25-8:45pmPublic DiscussionOpen Forum
8:45-8:50pmSpecial Announcement & RecapChair
8:50pmAdjournment
NOTE: Refreshments will be provided. 歡迎免費參加 \ 備有點心
Our March meeting will be held at the same time, the same location on Monday, March 31.
CRC January Meeting at 7 pm, on Monday, January 28th
Monday, January 28, 2008 at 510 I Street, N.W., Washington DC TimeAgenda Item ______________________ _____________ 7:00-7:05pmCall to Order Chair
7:05-7:10pmReview Last Meeting Minutes
7:10-7:25pmPublic Safety Report and Follow-upsMPD/ALU
7:25-7:55pmUpdate of Chinatown Cultural Development StrategyOP & OAPIA
& Public Symposium Planning
Development Opportunities and Public Comments OP
CVS Project and Zoning Status 463 I Street
7:55-8:05pmFeasibility of establishing a non-profit CDCOpen Forum
8:05-8:10pmAPI Community in ArtsDC Arts Comm. 8:10-8:25pmNew Business
Program Kickoff Meeting Tuesday, July 10, 2007 510 I Street, N.W., Washington DC
AGENDA
TimeTabAgenda Item Presenter
7:00-7:10pmCall to OrderChair
oGreetings/Overview
oIntroductions of participants
oProgram Mission & Objectives
7:10-7:20pmRemarks on Planning of the CityHarriet Tregoning & the Chinatown Director, Office of Planning 7:20-7:30pmDC Government‘s Community Clark Ray
Relations & Services Director, Office of Community
Relations & Services
7:30-7:35pmCity’s Special APIA ServicesSoohyun Koo
Director, Office of Asian and
Pacific Islander Affairs
7:35-7:40pmChairman Gray’s RemarksHon. Vincent Gray
(flex to meet Council’s session schedule)Chairman, DC Council
7:40-7:45pmSpecial Q&A with City LeadersDC Council Chair & Directors 7:45-8:00pmOP’s Presentation -Patricia Zingsheim oCurrent & Future Project InitiativesAssociate Director, OP 8:00-8:20pmMajor Development and/or Revitalization Projects o600 Mass. Ave & 600 Block Eye St.Kingdon Gould III
Gould Property Company
8:20-8:40pmCRC Project Initiatives
oRe-developing Chinatown OpportunitiesKonrad Schlater of DMPED
oChinatown Design Guidelines StudyAlfred Liu, Don Chen
The Chinatown Revitalization Council established in 2007, which is intended to be as an integral part of the Capital City, WashingtonD.C.Downtown Revitalization Program. The goal for the project was to bring together community members to address several key issues in the area, such as safety and economic growth through an extensive community engagement and building process.
Watch a video about the DTES Revitalization Project. View the story(Apr 26, 2000)
As a means to bring the community to work together, the DC Chinatown Revitalization Council (CRC) was officially formed in 2007 to encourage collaboration between the community and the City in developing short-term revitalization initiatives and a long-term vision for Chinatown.
With our commitment, collective community efforts, and supports of the City,we believe the Chinatown Vision will soon to be adopted by Council as a blueprint for the revitalization work in Chinatown.
From January through March of 2007, the Executive Committee mambers of CRC had met with Council Chairman and City officials advocate for the future development of a Chinatown Revitalization and Community Plan. Based largely on the Chinatown Vision (PDF) , the plan is targeted at encouraging private sector investment in Chinatown and improving conditions for those who live, work and visit the area.
CRC is in the process of developing a three-year action plan and work program to develop and implement a Chinatown Revitalization and Community Plan. The program focuses on the following work areas:
So far, many initiatives in these areas have already been implemented with the cooperation from the local community and funding from Public and Private partnership, however much more works need to be done for revitalizing the Chinatown.There are past, present and future projects::
The Chinatown Archway, which opened in 1986.
Thefuture of I ( aka, Eye & Silk Road) Street, N.W. of Washington DC - an extended mixed walkway with non-drive through streets between the 6th Street and 11th street of the future New City Center (Old Convention Center Redevelopment Site). Take a video tour of comparable Vancouver's Silk Road.
Proposed future character pedestrian lights and signages.
The proposed Chinatown Memorial Peace Park, a memorial museum with Kiosks for and a 40-feet tall Peace Statue and aesthetic landscape with benches at the corner of Massachusts Avenue, I and 6th Streets, commemorating the role of Chinese American peace contributions including the construction of the American Pacific Railway and in World Wars I and II.
