The effort focused issues of shared concern throughout Chinatown including but not limited to affordability, preservation, revitalization and the social and economic well being of families, seniors and youths.

The Chinatown Working Group's objective was to articulate common goals for Chinatowns future with consideration for its impact on adjacent New York City communities, and to formulate and work with New York City agencies to implement a precise, comprehensive, meaningful, timely and broadly supported community-based plan.

You can see a full list of participating members and organizations here.

The last meeting represented in the contents of this website was on Monday, June 22, 2015.

In late 2018, the Chinatown Working Group was reformed. You can learn more about their current endeavor at ChinatownWorkingGroup.com View the Planner Presentations Page for all reports, presentations and analyses Final Pratt Report January 1, 2014 (Revised: 3/31/14, updated inside front cover (funding and project team); pages 106 and 107 (clarification language); and page 112 (correction under proposed zoning for Subdistrict E2). Executive Summary CWG Public Info Session, Wednesday, June 18, 2014, Middle School 131, 100 Hester Street, Auditorium Chinatown Working Group, Culture-Affordability-Preservation-Zoning Committee Summary Recommendations on Pratt Study - February 27, 2015
On Wednesday, June 18, 2014 The Pratt Center and Collective for Community Development presented a summary of the recommendations to be presented for review and outreach to the community to build public support.  The public forum was announced on this site and through flyers in Chinese, Spanish and English.  The presentation was made in Chinese, Spanish and English.  Here is the presentation.  And here is an English version of a brochure summarizing the zoning recommendations as of June 26, 2012. Next steps:   Work with Community Boards 1, 2 & 3 and with the NYC Department of City Planning and other city agencies on zoning recommendations.  Submit final zoning proposal to City Planning for public review process (ULURP).  Engage with community residents, organizations, elected officials and others throughout the public review process
Photo courtesy of The LoDown	On April 4th, 2011 the CWG voted to adopt the following Governance Protocols: Leadership Structure Membership Picture at left courtesy of The Lo-Down
Photographer:  Zella Jones	On May 19, 2010 the Chinatown Working Group met at the request of Secretary Ray LaHood of the US Dept of Transportation as part of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).  Read here about the CWG initiatives presented.  Read here about the White House initiative. Pictured at left:  Ed Ma, Dan Chen, Jim Solomon, Thomas Yu (far right) with Secretary Ray LaHood, US Dept of Transportation, May 19, 2010
Photographer:  Vanita Solomon	The Second Town Hall Meeting on February 1st, 2010 was conducted in Cantonese, Mandarin, Fukienese, Spanish and English Charrettes and provided valuable feedback for the Chinatown Working Group's  Preliminary 197a Action Plan.   Feb. 1st  Town Hall Charrettes Notes

OBJECTIVES
                 
The Chinatown Working Group's plan is to create an inventory of existing conditions and identify realistic implementation of strategies that address, among many issues: truly affordable housing, multi-cultural and historic preservation, economic revitalization and sustainability, commercial stability, residential and business displacement, small/light manufacturing use, open space, public infrastructure, transportation, congestion, tenant rights, the environment including air quality, education, the arts, human rights, immigrant needs, social conflicts and crime, the well being of families, seniors and youths, and zoning.  Although zoning is a powerful planning tool that can be used to mitigate the potential negative impacts of development in a neighborhood, it is not the only strategy that should be applied in Chinatown.  A broader community-based planning strategy that goes beyond zoning may be pursued.

STRATEGY

The Chinatown Working Group's community-based plan for Chinatown will engage in a democratic, comprehensive and transparent process in building consensus among diverse groups.  CWG will conduct extensive public outreach to involve as many of Chinatowns stakeholders as possible.  CWG meetings will be held regularly and open to everyone.  CWG hopes to have the full cooperation and support of the City for this community-based initiative including access to staff from various agencies, such as City Planning, HPD, Small Business Services, Department of Transportation and Economic Development Corporation.

The Chinatown Working Group (CWG) is a democratic and transparent initiative.  Meetings are open to everyone. 

• The full Working Group regularly meets the first Monday of each month.  Check listings in the right column for updates.

• The Working Group Coordinating Committee regularly meets the third Tuesday of each month, 4-5:30p, Check listings in the right column for updates.

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