VTMBH Article: Body
Approximately 300 Chinese Americans attended Listening to the City forum yesterday. Those who do not speak English gave their opinions on rebuilding Chinatown through translators.
Attendees urged government officials to consider Chinatown as they plan to rebuild Lower Manhattan. Attendees requested that officials increase subsidized apartments for elderly and low income residents; create employment opportunities in Chinatown, provide English tutoring and career training services for new immigrants; and improve the environment and
public transportation.
Many were very pleased with the public hearing, hoping that the government not only listened, but will take action based on their feedback.
The public hearing included representatives from Asian Americans for Equality, Chinese Planning Council, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) , as well UNITE Local 23-35. Many Chinese Americans came to the meeting from Flushing, uptown Manhattan and New Jersey. Volunteers from New York University Downtown Hospital provided translation services.
Thirteen percent of the meetings attendance was Asian American; most were of Chinese
descent. Chinese Americans are waking up and realizing that it is important to speak up and voice opinions to fight for their rights.
Both Mandarin and Cantonese translation services were available at the meeting. Attendees wore headphones to hear the entire presentation simultaneously in the language of their choice. During the debates, translators were available for those who do not speak English. With the language barrier removed, Chinese Americans were able to openly discuss their issues and concerns, especially elderly housing and recreation, Chinatowns cleanliness and safety, and lack of public restrooms.
Many are concerned that plans to rebuild Lower Manhattan only include Ground Zero area, and do not include the deeply affected Chinatown area. Many proposals were very commercial. We do not need additional office space, instead, we need more affordable housing, AALDEF Director Margaret Fung said.
Asian Americans for Equality Executive Director Wei Yee Gui said, Chinatown residents also have opinions regarding plans to rebuild; the government needs to take them into consideration.
Siu Man Chan said, To only consider the 16 acres of land in rebuilding the WTC is not enough, we need to also focus on nearby areas, such as Chinatown, and their housing and employment problems.
Public transportation services is another main concern of Chinese Americans. A Mott Street store owner, Chuck Kwong Lee, suggested setting up a ferry stop by Pike Street to connect to WTC, Chinatown and the Lower East Side. Community Board Two member Chung Bo Lee suggested a north-and-south-bound line between WTC and Chinatown.
And a mother, who lost her son in the September 11th tragedy, hoped that her sons name and picture would be displayed in the memorial.
A factory worker said he would like the government to provide subsidized housing, health care, English tutoring and career training services to low-income residents. Chinatown small business representatives asked for an increase in tourism marketing and government financial assistance.
Many hope the government will refrain from increasing taxes, fines, and subway fares.
During the discussion of the six plans for reconstructing Ground Zero, Chinese Americans said that the designs should incorporate Feng Shui practices. For example, tall buildings should face water, and the memorial monument could take the shape of a Ba Gua (an octagon shape).
Many Chinese Americans expressed satisfaction with the meeting. They are very excited to voice Asians concerns to non-Asians. They hope the government will continue holding these hearings and will include Chinatown in the Lower Manhattan Development Plan.
This is only the beginning, residents should not just sit back and relax, we need to follow up and keep track of the plans, Chuck Kwong Lee said.
Chung Bo Lee said, the government should respond quickly with feedback, and we need to point out our concerns, such as [FEMAs] Canal Street division of Chinatown.
Attendees urged government officials to consider Chinatown as they plan to rebuild Lower Manhattan. Attendees requested that officials increase subsidized apartments for elderly and low income residents; create employment opportunities in Chinatown, provide English tutoring and career training services for new immigrants; and improve the environment and
public transportation.
Many were very pleased with the public hearing, hoping that the government not only listened, but will take action based on their feedback.
The public hearing included representatives from Asian Americans for Equality, Chinese Planning Council, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) , as well UNITE Local 23-35. Many Chinese Americans came to the meeting from Flushing, uptown Manhattan and New Jersey. Volunteers from New York University Downtown Hospital provided translation services.
Thirteen percent of the meetings attendance was Asian American; most were of Chinese
descent. Chinese Americans are waking up and realizing that it is important to speak up and voice opinions to fight for their rights.
Both Mandarin and Cantonese translation services were available at the meeting. Attendees wore headphones to hear the entire presentation simultaneously in the language of their choice. During the debates, translators were available for those who do not speak English. With the language barrier removed, Chinese Americans were able to openly discuss their issues and concerns, especially elderly housing and recreation, Chinatowns cleanliness and safety, and lack of public restrooms.
Many are concerned that plans to rebuild Lower Manhattan only include Ground Zero area, and do not include the deeply affected Chinatown area. Many proposals were very commercial. We do not need additional office space, instead, we need more affordable housing, AALDEF Director Margaret Fung said.
Asian Americans for Equality Executive Director Wei Yee Gui said, Chinatown residents also have opinions regarding plans to rebuild; the government needs to take them into consideration.
Siu Man Chan said, To only consider the 16 acres of land in rebuilding the WTC is not enough, we need to also focus on nearby areas, such as Chinatown, and their housing and employment problems.
Public transportation services is another main concern of Chinese Americans. A Mott Street store owner, Chuck Kwong Lee, suggested setting up a ferry stop by Pike Street to connect to WTC, Chinatown and the Lower East Side. Community Board Two member Chung Bo Lee suggested a north-and-south-bound line between WTC and Chinatown.
And a mother, who lost her son in the September 11th tragedy, hoped that her sons name and picture would be displayed in the memorial.
A factory worker said he would like the government to provide subsidized housing, health care, English tutoring and career training services to low-income residents. Chinatown small business representatives asked for an increase in tourism marketing and government financial assistance.
Many hope the government will refrain from increasing taxes, fines, and subway fares.
During the discussion of the six plans for reconstructing Ground Zero, Chinese Americans said that the designs should incorporate Feng Shui practices. For example, tall buildings should face water, and the memorial monument could take the shape of a Ba Gua (an octagon shape).
Many Chinese Americans expressed satisfaction with the meeting. They are very excited to voice Asians concerns to non-Asians. They hope the government will continue holding these hearings and will include Chinatown in the Lower Manhattan Development Plan.
This is only the beginning, residents should not just sit back and relax, we need to follow up and keep track of the plans, Chuck Kwong Lee said.
Chung Bo Lee said, the government should respond quickly with feedback, and we need to point out our concerns, such as [FEMAs] Canal Street division of Chinatown.