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Task force wants $1.2 million to hire GM, staff before becoming self-sufficient

Chinatown enthusiasts are gearing up for another summer of historic events and food tours as they try to “de-stigmatize” a unique but rundown part of downtown Edmonton.

“It starts with de-stigmatizing Chinatown to allow Edmonton to understand it,” said William Lau, a youth representative on the volunteer Chinatown Economic Task Force.

They toured 300 Edmonton residents through the area last summer with nine events, said Lau. This year, the task force secured a grant to hire a student researcher to lead even more: “The one I’m most excited about is our food tours.”

Edmonton approved a strategy to rebuild its struggling Chinatown last June. On Monday, members of the task force appeared before city council’s executive committee to ask for seed funding for a nonprofit to support the effort.

They’re asking for a four-year grant of $1.2 million in total, with the goal of becoming self-sufficient after that through fundraising. The money would help set up an office, hire an executive director plus two staff.

The new non-profit would work with the business association, residents and the social agencies in the area.

“We need to create pride. Bring back the pride to the neighbourhood,” said real estate agent Sandy Pon, another task force volunteer.

“Edmonton is a very young city,” she said. “We should not see this kind of urban decay that’s happening. We believe this ship can be turned around.”

Edmonton’s Chinatown covers 21 hectares and is home to a variety of mostly small businesses. Many are struggling, in part because of the social disorder linked to continued homelessness in the area, said Pon.

Many social agencies and shelters have located there, which encourages people who don’t have housing to congregate. They lack accessible washrooms and places to stay during the day.

“The businesses that are there are dying,” Pon said. Even though the new downtown arena is just

Edmonton is a very young city. We should not see this kind of urban decay that’s happening.

blocks away, these businesses “are closing earlier every day. Instead of opening until 10, they are closing by 8. Some of them are down to five days (a week) of operating.”

Council will debate the funding as part of the operating budget discussions this fall, when the task force presents a more complete business case. Council is also looking at capital improvements to the area such as a new Harbin Gate, rehabilitating Mary Burley Park and widening sidewalks.

“This is a really important next step,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “Government can’t solve these challenges alone.”