New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced last week that Chinatown would receive a $20 million grant, New York Daily News reports.
The Chinatown region was the fifth round winner of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), which distributes the grants, CPC reports. The initiative funds art spaces, green spaces and housing expansion throughout the city.
According to CPC, the funding will aid several ongoing projects in Chinatown like the restoration of the Kimlau Memorial Monument, multiple affordable and senior housing projects and multiple resiliency projects at NYCHA properties.
“Chinatown serves as a beacon of cultural richness and diversity, not just for New Yorkers, but for the entire world,” Governor Hochul said in a press release. “With this award, Chinatown will shine even brighter and reach its fullest potential as a vibrant community and an international arts and cultural destination. Strategic public investments like this spark an upward cycle of revitalization that takes on a life of its own by enhancing community pride, creating a positive buzz and attracting private sector investments.”
Chinatown leaders praised Gov. Hochul and the New York government.
“Government leaders and community organizations coming together to uplift the AAPI community with this revitalization is an extraordinary step toward undoing years of injustice. We commend Governor Hochul for today’s announcement and look forward to all this will bring to Chinatown,” Wayne Ho, President and CEO of the Chinese-American Planning Council, said according to CPC.
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Wish SF would give monies for arts orgs and a theater space in SF Chinatown. While the African American and Latino communities have city provided cultural centers with theaters, the Asian American community has none. We are a huge presence and percentage of the population in SF. Yet…