Chinatown Groups Announce Campaign to Fight Liberty Place and Corridor of Injustices!

by Michael Liu
10/23/01

A coaltion of community organizations rallied next to parking lot, where a 31 story apartment tower is being proposed in central Chinatown (see previous article). The groups are opposing city zoning variances that will allow Liberty Place to build 410 market rate units, retail space and underground parking.

Representatives from the groups voiced concerns about the city honoring the Chinatown Master Plan, traffic and noise, gentrification and affordable housing. Soaring rents have driven out numerous businesses in the area and threaten tenants adjacent to the proposed development. The Chinatown Master Plan, revised just this summer by the community, calls for 8 to 10 story zoning.

Lydia Lowe of the Chinese Progressive Association (CPA) described the "corridor of injustices," along Washington St. where the city and developers have repeatedly violated the community plans with high rise developments and an accompanying degradation of the working class neighborhood.

The groups included the Asian Community Development Corporation, Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, Campaign to Protect Chinatown, the Chinese Progressive Association (CPA), and Chinatown Residents Association. An environmental legal aid group, ACE, has offered legal support.

The groups are calling for volunteers to help in the campaign. They may contact either the CPA or the Campaign to Protect Chinatown.