Asian American leaders celebrate $1 million Chinatown appropriation

Last July, Asian American leaders and local lawmakers sought input on revitalizing Detroit's historic Chinatown neighborhood.

Driving the news: A year later, leaders of local Asian American organizations are celebrating $1 million from the state for improvements to Detroit's Chinatown neighborhood at Cass Avenue and Peterboro Street.

The intrigue: The appropriation to Midtown Inc., signed into law by the governor last week, will bring streetscape improvements and an infusion of Chinese American-inspired elements to the changing area.

State of play: Potential improvements include a gateway element, new and special pavement, outdoor dining space, specialty lighting and landscape upgrades.

Behind the scenes: State appropriations chair Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) was joined by state Sens. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) and Stephanie Chang at the press conference Monday at Detroit Shipping Company.

• Chang led the effort to bring funds to the heart of the former Chinese enclave.

What they're saying: "I'm proud to have championed this project and am so grateful to Senators Anthony and Cavanagh for their leadership in moving it across the finish line," Chang said, adding that it was important to see development there as an Asian American and as someone "who has fond memories of this block from two decades ago."

Between the lines: Monday's press conference coincided with the one-year anniversary of the demolition of 3143 Cass Ave., a long abandoned Chinese American community center that was considered the heart of the neighborhood.

• Speakers included Richard Mui, board of directors' president, Association of Chinese Americans; Roland Hwang, president and co-founder, American Citizens for Justice; and Lisa Yee-Litzenberg, daughter of Henry Yee, the former "mayor" of Detroit Chinatown.

Friction point: Matt Hessler, a local developer, owns the Cass and Peterboro building that houses Iconic Tattoo and rents space to Craig's Coffee and The Peterboro restaurant. He also owns a building near his home on Seven Mile and Livernois.

• Hessler tells Axios he wishes this type of public funding would go toward improving the city's neighborhoods.
• "It is so much harder to do stuff like this, it's just the neighborhoods. In Midtown, there's people coming in and foot traffic. But up by the crib it's like pulling teeth," Hessler told Axios after the event.

Reality check: The Asian American community that relocated from near Corktown to Cass Corridor in the '70s has not been present there for decades.

• Neighboring the Ilitch family's District Detroit development, the block in recent years went from affordable rents to one-bedroom apartments starting at and above $1,350, consistent with units available south of I-375.
• Chang tells Axios that Democratic lawmakers are working on "rent stabilization" solutions.

Follow the money: The funds are part of the new fiscal year budget that begins Oct. 1.

• Midtown Inc. interim director and former state Rep. Maureen Stapleton said work on the improvements would start by this time next year.