Councillors and community members met Wednesday to discuss how to make Chinatown more vibrant.
The Chinatown representatives were centred on two issues to improve their neighborhood: the Harbin gate that needs to be moved for LRT construction, and the railway bridge at 97 Street, which they argue should be demolished because it is preventing people from accessing Chinatown.
“[The bridge] is full of graffiti,” said Ratan Lawrence, Executive Director of Chinatown and Area Business Association. “There’s also syringes and people use it as a public washroom. This is the concern – everyone is avoiding coming down to Chinatown using the bridge.”
While the gate and the overpass are important issues, Mayor Don Iveson cited successful businesses as the main factor for the community to re-emerge.
“Fundamentally, what’s going to make Chinatown succeed over time is vibrant and successful businesses in there that attract residents and maybe tourists from all walks of life,” Iveson said.
With files from Breanna Karstens-Smith.
