Phase 2 Consultation: Expand the Vision for the Memorial Square to include Community Development!

Photo: Rally against Developer Beedie’s luxury condos at 105 Keefer; credits: Nat Lowe (2017)

The City of Vancouver is in their Phase 2 of Consultations regarding the Chinatown Memorial Square Resdeign Project。There is a survey for this Phase as well. The deadline to complete this survey is Monday Dec. 13th.

Skip to the Guide

After analysis and discussion among our members, we feel the Draft Vision and Goals remain too narrow.

• We ask the City to include Community Development at the Memorial Square, to build a Chinese-Canadian Museum and a multi-use seniors community centre.
• We should not miss this opportunity to redesign the Square and further expand it, more than the two Ideas the City is currently considering. The City needs to find a way to acquire nearby properties, including 105 Keefer and 129 Keefer.

These are our main points in response to the current Consultation Phase. We have also prepared a more detailed Guide to support people in filling out the survey. We hope you will take a few minutes to fill out the City’s phase and to ask them to expand the Vision for the Square to include Community Development!

Take the Survey

咨詢第二階段：要求擴大廣場視野，促進社區發展！

照片：反對Beedie發展商在奇化街105號建高價樓的集會；由劉成皿拍攝（2017年）

溫哥華市府正在進行為紀念碑廣場重新設計計劃的第二階段社區咨詢。今次還有一份問卷。填寫問卷的截止日期是12月13日(周一)。

經過關注組組員的分析和討論，我們認爲紀念碑廣場的願景和目標草案太窄了。

• 我們要求市府在廣場促進社區發展，建立紀念館和長者活動中心。
• 我們不能錯過這個機會重新設計紀念碑廣場來更廣泛擴展廣場，超過市府現在所考慮的兩個方案。市府必須找辦法收購附近土地，尤其是奇化街105號和奇化街129號。

以上是我們對現階段咨詢的重點。我們也準備了這份 “填寫問卷指引”，裏面會更仔細協助您填寫市府的問卷。我們希望您也抽一些時間填寫市府的問卷，呼籲他們擴大廣場視野，促進社區發展！

Expand the Square! Chinatown Memorial Square Redesign: Survey Guide

Photo: Rally against Developer Beedie’s luxury condos at 105 Keefer; credits: Nat Lowe (2017)

The City of Vancouver recognizes the Chinatown Memorial Square is at the heart of Chinatown and is an important location.  Hence, the City is planning to redesign the Memorial Square.  At this time, the City is collecting public input and suggestions for the project. One of the ways is through an online survey.

After discussion on the project and survey, Chinatown Concern Group members have prepared a Guide to fill out the survey. We hope you will support our demands and this Guide will help you fill out the City’s survey.  Fill out the survey now! UPDATE: The last day to complete it is now Wednesday June 16th!  (Link: https://shapeyourcity.ca/memorial-square-redesign)

Summary of our Demands:

• The Memorial Square right now is too small, the City needs to Expand the Square. Expanding the Square will affirm the cultural identity of Chinese Canadians and help combat anti-Chinese racism
• We ask that the City acquire the nearby properties, including 105 Keefer and 129 Keefer. These two sites need to be acquired into the hands of the government.
• After expanding the square, the City should seek partnerships with senior levels of government to:
  • Further beautify the Square, including a small park and more space for gatherings
  • Develop the space for the working-class community including:
    • Chinese Canadian Museum
    • 100% low-income housing (at welfare and pension rates; including for Chinese seniors)
    • An intergenerational multi-use community centre (including a tourist centre)

擴展廣場！唐人街紀念廣場重新設計：填寫問卷指引

照片：反對Beedie發展商在奇化街105號建高價樓的集會由劉成皿拍攝（2017年）

溫哥華市府認同紀念碑廣場是唐人街的核心地點，而是一個重要的地點。所以市府計劃重新設計唐人街紀念碑廣場。現階段，市府正在收集大眾對這個計劃的意見和建議。其中一個方式是透過一個網上的問卷。

唐人街關注組組員討論了這個計劃和問卷之後，就準備了這份 “填寫問卷指引。” 我們希望您會支持我們的訴求，而這份指引會協助您填寫市府的問卷。但要快! 更新：最後一天填好問卷現在是周三6月16號! (網頁:https://shapeyourcity.ca/memorial-square-redesign1)。

首先，這是我們對計劃的總結訴求：

• 現在紀念碑廣場太小，政府需要擴展廣場。擴展廣場可以增加對華裔加拿大人以及其文化的認同，也起到對抗反華裔的種族歧視的作用。
• 我們懇請政府收購附近土地，包括奇化街105號和129號。這兩幅地要收購到政府手裏。
• 擴展廣場之後，市府應該要求高級政府一起合作：
  • 將廣場設計的更美觀，包括小​​公園和更多聚集空間
  • 建立用於發展平民的社區的區域，包括
    • 華裔加拿大人博物館興建
    • 100%廉價房屋（按照福利金和養老金額，包括給華裔長者的）
    • 一間跨代多用社區中心（包括旅遊中心）

1 Day Left – Protect the heart of Chinatown!

Take action before it’s too late!

You have 1 day left before Vancouver city staff’s comment deadline on 105 Keefer. Send in your comments by clicking on the link below by Monday, February 27th:

Click here to submit your comments to city staff on the rezoning application of 105 Keefer Street

You may use the following letter (below) to cut and paste into your comment form. Feel free to personalize and make the letter your own.

“Jenny Kwan and Chinatown groups appeal to three levels of government to purchase site next to Chinese Workers Memorial to Build Affordable Housing” (Translated)

Sept. 1, 2016 – Translated from 明報 Ming Pao (thanks to Youth Collaborative for Chinatown volunteers!!)

Chinese Member of Parliament Jenny Kwan and several new and old Chinatown organizations have gathered together to vocalize an appeal for three levels of government to work together to purchase a site directly adjacent to a Chinese Workers Memorial statue that commemorates early Chinese immigrants, workers, and veterans in Chinatown. They suggest that the site be used to develop social housing and community facilities.

“Chinatown site planned for high-rise development, Chinatown groups appeal to government to purchase the land” (Translated)

Sept. 1, 2016 – Translated from 星島日報 Sing Tao Daily (thanks to Youth Collaborative for Chinatown volunteers!!)

There have been many heated discussions over the possible redevelopment that is planned for the site of 105 Keefer Street, adjacent to the Chinatown Workers Memorial. This has led Vancouver East MP, Jenny Kwan from NDP, to hold a press conference on Wednesday at the Memorial statue in Chinatown along with representatives of many other Chinese organizations such as the Chinese Benevolent Association, Canadian Alliance of Chinese Associations, Chinatown Concern Group, and the Chinese Canadian Military veterans. They oppose the purely commercial redevelopment plans that have been proposed in the heart of Chinatown. The purpose of this press conference was also to ask all three levels of government to purchase this site in order to build more housing for seniors, as well as create more community facilities.

“105 Keefer St. Rezoning Application”

June, 7, 2016 – ACCESS TV (Video)

“105 Keefer crucial in fight against development in Vancouver’s Chinatown”

June, 15, 2016 – Redeye: Vancouver Cooperative Radio (Audio)

105 Keefer Street is in the heart of Chinatown, an area facing the same intense development pressures as Vancouver’s downtown eastside. Plans for a 13-storey tower don’t sit well with local residents. King-mong Chan is an organizer with the Chinatown Concern Group. He says the development will displace local businesses and the Chinese seniors who depend on them. King-mong Chan speaks with Redeye host Jane Williams.

Check out our website for more information about Redeye.

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唐人街社區大會！星期日6月19日!

Chinatown Town Hall in 廣東話 Cantonese and 普通話 Mandarin