At the 32nd Regional History Conference held on October 11 at Seattle’s Central Library, public safety and other pressing challenges facing Seattle’s Chinatown-International District (CID) took center stage.
Historians, educators, activists, and community members gathered to address urgent issues regarding urban development, cultural preservation, and transit expansion within the CID.
This biennial event, themed “Challenging History,” was organized by the Pacific Northwest Historians Guild and received support from several institutions, including the Seattle Public Library and the Washington State Historical Society.
The keynote address by Lorraine McConaghy, a public historian, set a reflective mood as she emphasized the current struggle to engage in civil disagreement—a fundamental aspect of both historical discourse and democracy.
Betty Lau, a retired teacher and prominent advocate for the CID, detailed the multiple challenges faced by the district in her breakout session titled “Saving Seattle Chinatown: Challenges.”
She highlighted how the community has endured cycles of discrimination, urban development, and cultural erasure. Lau cited critical historical moments, including the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the detrimental impacts of urban expansion on the district.
Her examination drew upon oral histories and family records, demonstrating resilience as the community rebuilt after each wave of disruption.
Lau poignantly illustrated the physical losses, noting that significant portions of Chinatown were sacrificed for city projects such as I-5 and stadium constructions.
In recognizing the legacy of her mentor, Ruby Chow, Lau reflected on Chow’s lifelong commitment to saving Chinatown, contextualizing it within a broader narrative of Asian American activism and community identity.
The conference also focused on the contentious debate surrounding the Sound Transit expansion, particularly the planned route for light rail through the CID.
Activists like Lau and Brien Chow from Transit Equity for All expressed concerns that the current proposals would isolate or further compromise the historic neighborhood.
Chow articulated that the proposed plans could hinder the vibrancy of Chinatown and stressed the importance of recognizing the three neighborhoods within the district—Chinatown, Japantown, and Little Saigon—highlighting that each name holds significance.
Supporters of alternative plans, such as the “Fourth Avenue Super Hub” concept, argue that these would enhance economic viability and support local businesses, while critics of Sound Transit’s preferred routes fear they would lead to dangerous transfers and decreased accessibility.
Speaking about the broader implications, Lau and Chow indicated that this issue transcends local concerns and is indicative of systemic inequalities.
They asserted that plans risking the erasure of marginalized communities—those historically underserved—are fundamentally unjust.
Their work has gained national attention, with the CID being named to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list for 2023 and 2024.
In the face of these challenges, advocates highlighted the CID’s enduring resilience and the importance of community coalitions.
They emphasized the need for ongoing advocacy to ensure that the voices of non-English-speaking elders and small business owners are heard in transit planning discussions.
Lau concluded with a call for continued activism, particularly against Sound Transit’s expansion plans, asserting that the fight to protect the district’s future is far from over.
Community groups are mobilizing through protests and strategic outreach to ensure any transit decisions made can sustain the economic lifeblood of the CID.
During the conference, architectural discussions were led by Alan Maskin, principal owner of Olson Kundig, who emphasized the importance of recognizing the interplay between architectural legacy and cultural community in shaping the district’s identity.
He and other speakers reiterated that preserving history requires more than merely maintaining buildings; it involves recognizing the ongoing narratives that inform the CID’s identity today.
Lau also raised a critical point about the district’s name, discussing how the term “International” can reduce Asian identities to perpetual foreignness, arguing that residents are indeed Americans deserving of recognition without qualifiers.
The conference concluded with a mixed sense of urgency and hope, echoing a commitment to bridging the gap between public memory and vibrant communities through principled advocacy and inclusive planning.
Participants left the conference with a renewed determination to engage city leaders closely, stressing that current transit decisions will influence the CID for generations to come.
While the future of the CID hangs in the balance, advocates remain steadfast in their efforts to ensure the district not only survives but thrives amidst the pressures of urban development.
image source from：nwasianweekly
