CPA occupies Boston Redevelopment Authority Offices

Thirty members and supporters of the Chinese Progressive Association occupied the offices of the Boston Redevelopment Association Monday, Oct. 4. The Chinese Progressive Association is asking the BRA to honor its 15-year promise to support a permanent home for CPA on Parcel C (now known as the Metropolitan). The BRA is instead insisting that CPA pay a disproportionate share of the monthly condo fees.

While the immediate issue is the condo fees, Chinatown activists say that there a larger problem evident in the growing gentrification of the neighborhood. In a news conference in front of City Hall, protestors unfurled a banner listing seventeen ``broken promises'' by the Redevelopment Authority.
At the call of one of the Chinatown residents, demonstrators spontaneously occupied the office until the BRA meet with them to discuss their demands about the space. The occupiers included members of the Chinatown Resident Association, the City Life organization in Jamaica Plain, and city councilors Chuck Turner and Felix Arroyo. Protestors sat in for five hours until they left with a promise of a meeting the next morning.

Another thirty people came to the following morning meeting, but the meeting failed to resolve the issue. The activists looked unsuccessfully for the Mayor but spoke briefly with the Director of the Office of New Bostonians. CPA and supporters are presently deciding on future actions.

The C Parcel of land between Oak, Harrison, Washington, and Nashua streets has been a historic site of contention for three decades between the city and its developer allies and community activists and residents\

BRA's Broken Promises

Those who want to support CPA can call 617.357.4499 or e-mail