Marianne Uy, JD Anticipated May 2024, Law and Public Policy Scholar
Philadelphia’s Chinatown is home to 3,000 people. Located in the heart of Center City, Chinatown is a cultural hub that features the food and goods of various Asian countries, including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. The concentration of restaurants, markets, and shops establish Philadelphia’s Chinatown as the second largest on the East Coast. In addition to the rich culture that exists beyond the Chinatown Friendship Gate, the neighborhood has an important history, which continues to unite its predominantly-Asian community members.
With the neighborhood’s culture and history in mind, residents and business owners of Philadelphia’s Chinatown were alarmed when they learned about the 76ers’ proposed plans to build a new NBA arena, 76 Place. This worry stems from the developers’ plans to construct the arena within steps of the Chinatown Friendship Gate. After decades of attempts to prevent development proposals, such as the Vine Street Expressway and the Philadelphia Phillies Stadium, Chinatown residents and business owners are concerned about what the arena will do to their home. Following the 76ers’ announcement, Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation released a statement asserting that the community will oppose any developments that create harm or counter inclusivity and equity.
Therefore, in order to best represent the interests and needs of the Chinatown community, developers must understand the neighborhood’s important history, review the cautionary tale depicted in Washington, D.C.’s Chinatown, and take proactive steps to preserve the neighborhood’s cultural identity.
History
The history of Philadelphia’s Chinatown dates back to 1870 when Chinese immigrant Lee Fong opened a laundromat at 913 Race Street. During this period, anti-Asian sentiment pervaded the United States. In 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed and prevented Chinese immigration. For those in the U.S., this legal barrier, coupled with social ostracism, imposed barriers to employment and housing. Accordingly, Chinese immigrants formed an ethnic enclave where they could be accepted and create a home.
After World War II, the U.S. eased immigration policies, which led to an influx of Asian groups arriving and settling in Chinatowns across the nation. As a result of the increase of Asian immigrants in Philadelphia, Chinatown transformed from a “bachelor society,” composed mainly of male merchants, into a family-oriented community with churches, businesses, and social and cultural organizations. Advocacy groups, such as the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, were established to support community members and protect the Asian identity that prevails today.
Since the 1970s, Chinatown has been a desirable area for developers. The City of Philadelphia and private developers have sought to redevelop the neighborhood to include the Vine Street Expressway, Phillies Stadium, and new housing. However, Chinatown residents have historically advocated against such developments to preserve the residential and cultural character of the neighborhood and protect their vision of a living community—one that emphasizes housing, family, and community institutions. Today, the Chinatown neighborhood is the last remaining low-income minority community in Center City, Philadelphia.
Washington, D.C.’s Chinatown
As the 76 Place proposal weighs on the minds of developers and the Greater Philadelphia community, Chinatown residents are looking at Washington, D.C.’s Chinatown as a cautionary tale. Like Philadelphia’s Chinatown, D.C.’s Chinatown was established during a time of Asian exclusion. D.C.’s Chinatown became a community of inclusion and prospered for over 40 years.
Beginning in the 1930s, however, the neighborhood became a target for development efforts that prompted many to relocate. In 1931, the government built the Federal Triangle Complex in the area that was then Chinatown, destroying the community and leading to the establishment of the Chinatown that exists today. The population continued to decline in the 1960s, upon the riots that followed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination. Despite these events, nothing was more pivotal for the community than the 1997 construction of the sports and entertainment arena, known today as the Capital One Arena.
The Capital One Arena put the already-declining Chinatown in great jeopardy. Rent prices increased and large chain corporations replaced Asian restaurants and businesses. Instead of a place to call home, the cultural area transformed into an entertainment district. In 1990, the Asian American population in D.C.’s Chinatown was around 66% and dropped to 21% by 2010. According to a Washington Post article, only 300 Chinese residents remain in this historic district. The lessons of the past may now inform the future of other Chinatown neighborhoods, like Philadelphia’s.
Lessons to Take Away
Culture is of great importance to Chinatown community members. Although development may revitalize an area, it must not come at the expense of heritage. For these reasons, 76 Place developers must consider taking these steps to preserve the cultural and historic integrity of the neighborhood.
First and foremost, equity and inclusivity are paramount. The foundation upon which Chinatown was established was inclusivity. The 76 Place developers have taken the first step to addressing this concern in partnering with Mosaic Development Partners—a Black-owned real estate development company with experience in affordable housing and inclusive communities.
Second, the members of the impacted neighborhood must be engaged in planning efforts. 76 Place developers have stated their intent to create a Community Benefits Agreement that engages neighborhood stakeholders. This includes promoting local businesses, workforce participation, affordability, neighborhood preservation, and community access to the arena. They must stay true to their word. The residents of Chinatown will hold developers accountable.
Lastly, there must be safeguards in place to ensure the continued prosperity of the Chinatown neighborhood. These safeguards include supporting community education programs, as outlined in the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation’s Neighborhood Plan. Developers can work alongside Chinatown residents to fund education programs for youth and support the creation of a historic center that preserves and celebrates the neighborhood’s history.
These considerations can help to minimize the potential harm that the 76ers’ development may have on Chinatown residents. Although the 76ers’ desire to call this area home, they must not forget that it is already home to thousands.