Chinatown-The Struggle for Parcel C

The Struggle for Parcel C

Written By Maia Li

In the 1960s, the homes on the land that would later be called Parcel C in Chinatown were seized by eminent domain by the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA). The land, bordered by Oak Street, Nassau Street, and Ash street, was then sold to Tufts and the New England Medical Center (NEMC). In 1985, the NEMC made its first proposal for Parcel C: an 850-car garage that would require the demolition of the adjacent Acorn Day Care, the only public day care facility in Chinatown at the time. Both the Chinatown Neighborhood Council (CNC), City Hall's advisory group on Chinatown, and the BRA quickly declined. In 1987, the BRA verbally committed to reserving the space for affordable housing and a 50-90,000 sq. ft. community center. However, it remained untouched, and NEMC proposed $11 million to buy back the land for a 455-car garage, and would leave 10,000 sq. ft. for a small community center. Despite community opposition and protest, the BRA, who at the time faced an $8 million deficit for the fiscal year, approved the garage on June 10, 1993.

Community activists started by circulating petitions opposing and fliers to disseminate information regarding the garage proposal on Parcel C. Their primary concern was the increased traffic that a large garage would bring to the already overcrowded neighborhood - more cars meant worsening air pollution and higher risk for vehicle accidents, especially considering the large number of senior residents. The days before the BRA's hearing for preliminary approval, the Chinatown community organized a rally in front of the NEMC to express their protest, and over 250 community members participated. Activists and residents united to form the Coalition to Protect Parcel C for Chinatown, which held meetings and made fliers in both Chinese and English. They acquired over 2500 signatures of residents in opposition of building the garage, contradicting the CNC's “representative” decision. Andrew Leong, co-chair of the Coalition to Protect Chinatown, stated that “Like so many minority "leaders" that are recognized as legitimate by white governments, the Chinatown Neighborhood Council acted as City Hall's puppet”.

The residents of Chinatown and the members of the Coalition consistently stood united in their mission that no sum of money was worth risking the health and safety of the community. Over time, they formed alliances with environmental, legal, and advocacy groups, and in August of 1993, the evidence they presented against the garage resulted in an order from the Massachusetts environmental agency for NEMC to conduct a full environmental review of its proposal. When NEMC completed their report, the Coalition and the state agency agreed that there were too many inadequacies. In 1994, Mayor Menino ultimately renounced the approval for the garage, and instead designated the land to the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) for community use.

This movement provided opportunities for previously underrepresented community members, such as the elderly and the non-English speaking, to voice their opinion and concern for Chinatown. In addition to their goals for Parcel C, the Coalition paved the way for future organizing in non-English speaking communities. In the end, the Chinatown community had achieved their goal, but did not have a seat at the decision-making table – Menino’s decision did not involve any members of the Coalition; rather, it was an agreement between the BRA and the CCBA. Today, the land hosts one of the three Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center locations, and is the first LEED-certified green building in Chinatown.