You Don’t Know What You Got Till It’s Gone

This Blog is more of a PSA (Public Service Announcement)…..and something to think about.

I am reminded of a 1970 Joni Mitchell’s song, Big Yellow Taxi, where she correctly criticizes our treatment of the environment. More particularly, how in many of the decisions (or policies) made we are often not aware of the consequences that we will ultimately experience.

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swinging hot spot

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone?
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

Interestingly, when I was in Philadelphia this past year for the OCA National Convention, I attended an AAPI Community Fair where I met a student advocacy, Students for the Preservation of Chinatown (SPOC, @spocphilly) and learned about their fight.

In our conversation, I was surprised that THEY were aware of a past urban environmental action, quite similar to their Sports Venue vs Chinatown / Goliath vs David situation; their challenge is the NBA Philadelphia Sixers wanting to build a new arena adjacent to Chinatown. The example situation happens to be one that occurred 58 years ago, in my hometown of St. Louis, with the demolition of our remaining Chinatown and much of the surrounding urban areas for a stadium. Maybe not a Paradise in the eyes of the decision makers, but we definitely got parking lots.

Parking lots in lieu of buildings. Chinatown’s main core was in the center of the outline. Photo, 1967, Missouri Historical Society.

Admirably, SPOC were quite aware of the consequences and with many others in the Philadelphia Community, have banded together and have been taking action to prevent harm to a nearly 158-years old neighborhood. Ironically, this is the estimated beginning of St. Louis’ Lost Chinatown.

Photo by Shirley L. Ng

This Friday, Dec. 13th, the Philadelphia City Council voted to proceed with the Sixer’s plan for a Sports Arena, estimated to be in use 150 nights/year versus a 24/7, 365 days a year Community. Will these 150 nights completely benefit the neighborhood? That is the debate. And if the debating is still going on, then it implies there is not a sufficient solution or compromise. It is not just about money.

Recent news coverage since the City Council decision. https://whyy.org/articles/center-city-traffic-protest-philadelphia-76ers-arena/

In the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s  “11 Most Endangered Historic Places 2023” the Chinatowns in Seattle and Philadelphia were on the list. For the 2024 list, Little Tokyo in L.A. Do we wish to ignore (and lose) these Places with such rich history? Many of these Chinatowns were where the Chinese of early origins in the U.S. sought refuge in times of harsh discrimination.

While there is always much debate on the value of Sports Venues, often focused on public funding, regardless, there obviously needs to be better collaborations with the very communities that will be affected and impacted.

This “PSA Announcement” is not solely about sports venues. It is to raise awareness on the value of people and the communities at the expense of developments that are driven by a single user (owner or ownership group). For how often do we learn that the very buildings praised will become obsolete (naturally) and that then there is the threat for relocation?

This of course never happens. Oh, wait……….the St. Louis Rams.