Mayor Rick Blangiardi outlines his Chinatown improvement plans

Mayor Rick Blangiardi continues to focus on improving Chinatown, announcing 31 initiatives to revitalize the area, including the installation of 52 security cameras, improvements to Smith-Beretania Park and the repurposing of vacant properties owned by the town.

“It’s a long-term challenge and a long-term solution. We are committed to it,” Blangiardi told the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board during its meeting on Tuesday evening.

Blangiardi acknowledged the dilapidation of city-owned properties such as Chinatown-Gateway Plaza and Harbor Village. He said his plans include water system repairs at Chinatown-Gateway Plaza beginning in August and atrium renovations and chipping repairs at Harbor Village in September.

The city also plans to build a mixed-use arts and culture facility, with a request for proposals expected to be released in August.

Of the 31 items that the mayor presented to the neighborhood council, 11 are new. Installing 52 high-definition security cameras in Chinatown is one of Blangiardi’s top priorities and would more than double the number of cameras currently in the area, he said.

“It’s a better kind of technology,” Blangiardi said. “I think it’s going to be very useful not only for police work, but for peace of mind.”

One of the new elements would require the city to assess vacant city-owned properties for different uses such as business incubators that provide office space to fledgling entrepreneurs for little or no cost.

There are six vacant commercial spaces in city-owned affordable housing.

“We recognize our responsibility because ownership of these properties is part of the contribution we need to make Chinatown a better place,” Blangiardi said. “It’s under our control.”

The Downtown-Chinatown Ward Council was enthusiastic about the much-needed improvements.

“We appreciate it for ongoing and evolving projects, as we need to improve technology to bring back activity and bring back the sense of security,” said board member Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock.

She noted the reduction in the number of homeless people in the area and highlighted the city’s plan to install more security cameras.

However, Shubert-Kwock said she would also like to see metered street parking fees reduced to the same cost as in municipal garages. Paid parking on the street costs $3 an hour compared to $1.50 in garages, she said.

The council also asked for help with the area’s pigeon problem, which several members said had gotten worse.

“There are some sidewalks here, for example, the old location of Char Hung Sut, which is just a smelly cesspool,” board member Kevin Lye said.

Board member Ernest Caravalho said he could see a difference at Smith-Beretania Park. Blangiardi said the city plans to conduct a study to see how the park could be further activated and possibly install a pickleball court.

“Hopefully we get to a tipping point here where the community is proud of what’s going on and they’re going to help us take care of this place as well,” Blangiardi said.

“He’s going to need that kind of involvement.”