A Chinatown landmark which has sat vacant since 2014 could be turned into a museum devoted to Chinese American history, reports the SF Chronicle.
A group of Chinese American activists are looking into buying the six story building which used to house the Empress of China restaurant, where many non-profits have held their fundraisers and many families have celebrated such landmarks as weddings and newborn babies.
“San Francisco is the most Chinese American city in the country, and an obvious potential site for such an institution,” said Vincent Pan, executive director of Chinese for Affirmative Action told the Chronicle.
The idea has the support of former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. The building would also honor the late Ed Lee, the first Chinese American mayor of San Francisco and of a major U.S. city.
John Yee purchased the building for $17 million dollars two years ago and has discussed converting the building into a hotel and restaurant.
CBS Bay Area reports its unclear whether Yee would even consider selling the building.
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