Hi Mr Smith,
I hope this message finds you. My name is Tanya Woo and I grew up in Chinatown International District (CID) in my father’s building, the historic Louisa Hotel. After his passing, I inherited my family legacy and redeveloped the building into 84 workforce apartment units and 7 commercial spaces. Compared to all your current projects, this project is much smaller. Your company and your family are committed to creating a vibrant, dynamic and compelling future for Seattle. Your principles of sustainable development, smart growth, increased density and transformative placemaking are correct. You’ve been involved in some amazing projects that have brought so many benefits to many communities! When we heard about plans to develop the area around Airport Road and Fourth Avenue, our community was very excited. It will revitalize our community!
King County has entered into a two-year lease with you on the property during the pandemic and is now saying that if they don’t renew that lease and lease a larger five-year lease for $54 million, you will force them to close down the next that sanctuary. Really? They implied that they were forced in, and since they now own the land, they will expand the shelter. Did you know they do all this with minimal outreach and engagement with the community? They did not consider the concentration of poverty in the region, nor the impact of such a project on a minority community filled with immigrants and refugees with limited language skills.
From a social justice and racial equity standpoint, we believe that the current tenants of this property do not share your values and principles. I request to meet with you and your team to discuss the positive harm done to our community. I think you may not realize the history of systemic racism and compulsive high-impact projects that we have had to endure in King County. This includes I-5, all sports venues, and Sound Transit, dating back to the first Chinatown.
I believe your family history and our community history have been intertwined for hundreds of years. The Smith Building is located on the border of the second Chinatown. The first Chinatown was on the waterfront and we were pushed to where we are now – the third and final Chinatown. The land you lease to King County replaces our community and promotes red lines.
We would love to meet with you to discuss this further. Please give me a few dates and times where we can meet at a place of your choice or I would like you to come visit us in Chinatown for a community tour.
thanks,
— Ask Wu
Friends of Seattle Chinatown International District
