The Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda) is a member of the Department of Commerce Small Business Resiliency Network. We offer in-language support and materials, technical assistance in applying for grants, and assistance navigating local, state, and federal resources. More information about our business support services can be found on our CID Small Business Relief Team page.
We are always working to revitalize and grow the the Chinatown / International District. Take a look at some of the projects we’ve worked on to date.
MAYNARD ALLEY CONCEPT PLAN
Full report here.
SCIDpda, in conjunction with the Maynard Alley Partnership and Zeroplus, is working to reshape Maynard Alley to transform this underutilized public space into a more vibrant and dynamic place. Design recommendations were solicited to further this effort and Zeroplus was contracted to assist with the process of developing strategies toward these goals. This study outlines design elements to transform Maynard Alley into a safer, community-oriented, and pedestrian-friendly place by eventually implementing some or all of the strategies from the conceptual design.
POST-OCCUPANCY EVALUATIONS:
DONNIE CHIN INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S PARK & HING HAY PARK EXPANSION
Full report here.
In Autumn 2018, we partnered with Professor Jeff Hou to conduct a study on Hing Hay Park and Donnie Chin International Children’s Park. The goal of the evaluations was to understand how the parks have been performing, how they serve different users, including residents, visitors, and different age groups in particular, and what the continued challenges are, as well as areas for improvement. Please find the full study here.
2018 CID LIGHTING STUDY
The full 2018 CID Lighting Study report is now available in English, Chinese, and Vietnamese. The purpose of this study is to develop an action plan for improving the neighborhood lighting. Good lighting should encourage more evening activity, especially for pedestrians and retail businesses, and may increase the perception of the CID as a safe and welcoming environment for all. Funding for this study is provided by the City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
In 2014, through funding from the Office of Economic Development, the SCIDpda facilitated a retail study of the CID. This work catalyzed the hiring of our Business Development Consultant Shanti Breznau and has helped informed the business development work that SCIDpda has been doing for the past five years.
Community Initiatives have recruited new businesses to the district, catalyzed programs such as Storefronts Seattle that activate vacant commercial spaces, and provided businesses with counseling or referrals to other technical assistance providers. Recently, we have grown this aspect of our work to include a new coworking and business counseling space, established to encourage entrepreneurial growth in the neighborhood while also helping to support existing businesses. We have developed strong and sustainable partnerships with the Chinatown International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) and Friends of Little Saigon (FLS) to offer comprehensive and well-rounded resources for our businesses.
ARE YOU A NEW BUSINESS LOOKING FOR A SPACE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD?
Contact Shanti Breznau the CID retail recruiter at shantib@seattlechinatownid.com.
CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT PUBLIC SAFETY SURVEY 2018
The Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda) developed a public safety survey to evaluate the community’s perceptions of public safety, police-community relations, and various public safety interventions. The survey is now live and will be available for individuals to take until February 16, 2018. You may take it online in English, Chinese, and Vietnamese. If you would like paper copies of the survey, please contact Jamie Lee.
Detailed results of the 2017 survey can be found here. A brief one page fact sheet of the survey can found here (Chinese and Vietnamese).
If you would like results of specific questions, please email Jamie Lee.
CID PUBLIC SAFETY TASKFORCE AND COUNCIL
From the fall of 2015 through the spring of 2016, members of the Chinatown ID community participated in the Mayor’s Chinatown ID Public Safety Taskforce. Over the course of nine months, working with City of Seattle representatives, the taskforce developed a series of recommendations that address public safety concerns in the neighborhood. The CID Public Safety Council now oversees this body of work, coordinating with City of Seattle representatives to ensure this work continues to move forward. The CID Public Safety Council meets monthly and is comprised of community members. For more information on the Public Safety Council, please contact the chair, Jessa Timmer.
UNREINFORCED MASONRY REPORT (URM)
Unreinforced masonry, mainly brick, is one of the most common building types of the early 20th century, the primary era of development in the historic Chinatown International District neighborhood. Unreinforced masonry construction does not hold up well during earthquakes, meaning these buildings are a hazard in Seattle. The City of Seattle is trying to figure out how to protect people during earthquakes, and that will involve upgrades to unreinforced masonry buildings. The SCIDpda has been involved with policy discussions, and in 2015-2016, wrote a case study report on how URM policy may affect property owners and tenants in the CID and in Pioneer Square. Both neighborhoods are historic, are under historic preservation design review at the city level, and have a high number of URM buildings. We hope to build on this report with additional study of how to make upgrades feasible for property owners in the CID. The 2016 report is available in English and Chinese. Appendix for URM report is available in English. Please contact marykater@scidpda.org for a copy or with any questions about URM properties.
LITTLE SAIGON LANDMARK PROJECT
The Little Saigon Landmark project started with the City funding a feasibility study in the fall of 2012. The mixed-use Landmark Project envisioned a gathering place of the region’s Vietnamese community which included a cultural center, Southeast Asian grocery, Emerald Night Market, and restaurant as its main components. In 2014, SCIDpda conducted the Little Saigon Landmark Project Feasibility Study study in partnership with the Friends of Little Saigon. The mixed-use Landmark Project will consist of a Vietnamese cultural center, night market, and affordable housing.
COMMUNITY CROSSWALKS
In the heart of the Little Saigon neighborhood, a total of four decorative community crosswalks will be installed at the intersection of 12th Ave S and S Jackson St. The crosswalks will improve pedestrian safety at a busy intersection as well as contribute a cultural marker to Little Saigon. A local Vietnamese American designer was selected by a committee of community representatives to work with the Little Saigon community to come up with a design. The crosswalks are slated to be completed later in 2017.
This project is funded by the Neighborhood Matching Fund and supported by the Seattle Department of Transportation.
POCKET PARK CONCEPT PLAN
IDEA Space is currently working with the Little Saigon community to develop a small pocket park at the southwest corner of 12thAve S and S Jackson St, adjacent to the future community crosswalks. The pocket park is a small but important step in addressing the lack of public green space in Little Saigon and will provide community members a place of solace amidst the bustling neighborhood. Completion of the pocket park is estimated to be later in 2017.
This project is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, Yesler Community Collaborative, and the Neighborhood Matching Fund. The design is donated to the community by local designers from Framework.
FACADE IMPROVEMENTS
At the crossroads of neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and preservation is the work we do with facade improvements. IDEA Space works with property owners and business owners – often immigrant or refugee-owned, mom-and-pop enterprises – to coordinate small scale improvements to neighborhood storefronts. We help leverage funding from local and national sources and support the project from the brainstorming and fundraising stages through to implementation and reporting. By making progress towards visible enhancements to the neighborhood, we hope to support commercial vitality and cultural vibrancy of the Chinatown/International District.
HING HAY PARK EXPANSION
Hing Hay Park is a public park in the Chinatown International District of Seattle, Washington. At the corner of S. King Street and Maynard Avenue S., the park has an authentic pagoda, a gift from Taiwan, in the center, along with benches and chess tables for friends and family to gather.
DONNIE CHIN INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S PARK
A beloved neighborhood children’s park renovated in 2010 thanks to the efforts of the Friends of the International Children’s Park. Since 2006, SCIDpda has been supporting the efforts of this community group to address concerns about safety and usability of the local park, assisting with design development, advocacy efforts and fundraising. IDEA Space, SCIDpda’s community development resource center, works closely with community residents and partners at Wing Luke Asian Museum, International District Housing Alliance, Denise Louie Education Center, International District Community Center, University of Washington, City of Seattle (Parks and Recreation and the Department of Neighborhoods) and InterIm CDA to ensure that the park renovation is a community-driven and owned project.
JACKSON STREET CONNECTION
The Seattle waterfront is often disconnected from the rest of Seattle and its neighborhoods. Improvement on public safety and pedestrian walkability are the main goals to activating the underused waterfront. Together with Pioneer Square, the City of Seattle and other neighborhoods, the Chinatown International District community helped map out areas that requires special attention as it pertains to the young children, families and elders. Learn more about the plans here: Part 1 Part 2
