Chinatown Night Market Set for Oct. 16
Leaders hope to boost neighborhood’s economy
By Janet Dang

After two and half years of infighting and political wrangling, Chinatown will finally surge ahead with a pilot night-market project, turning the neighborhood into a festive night life scene reminiscent of those in Asia.

After some resistance, especially from transportation groups who were concerned over the loss of parking places that might inconvenience neighborhood residents, Port Commissioner Pius Lee and Benny Yee of the Redevelopment Commission announced last week that the pilot program got the go-ahead from the city.

The program, which was originally planned along Grant Avenue between Jackson and Broadway streets on Thursday nights has now been moved to Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Portsmouth Square, beginning Oct. 16.

The Chinatown Neighborhood Association, Inc. with the mayor’s endorsement and a city grant of $30,000, seeks to revitalize Chinatown’s economy, which has experienced a downward spiral ever since the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake demolished the Embarcadero Highway, the main route into Chinatown.

In nearby North Beach, the sidewalks are crammed at night with all sorts of visitors and tourists, but Chinatown’s evenings have been quiet for years.

And with recent concerns about crime and safety, shops have started to closed earlier and visitors have overall stayed away, said Lee.

According to Lee, a 1997 survey of roughly 80 Chinatown merchants showed that 64 percent were in favor of a night market. The survey was conducted by the Chinatown Economic Development Group, a city task force that he co-chaired until a few months ago.

The growth of businesses in other parts of the city and throughout the Bay Area like Oakland’s Chinatown and Irving Street, along with the growth of Chinese supermarket chains like Ranch 99 have not been good for Chinatown groceries and restaurants.

The idea for a night-market was given a booster by Supervisor Alicia Becceril, who presented a resolution supporting the idea last month. It received unanimous support from the board.

“After 8 p.m., the streets are quiet, and you can see many empty restaurants,” Lee told Becceril’s Business, Economic Vitality and Consumer Services Committee hearing in August. “Many merchants are having difficult times and are behind in their rent.’’

“If we don’t do anything, Chinatown is going to die,” said City Administrator Bill Lee during the announcement in Chinatown’s Golden Dragon Restaurant last week. Over the years, he’s seen reports showing that even garbage accumulation has gone down.

The plan would boost after-hours business with booths showcasing a wide array of merchandise and cultural activities, including karaoke, fortune telling and art. But as not to compete with nearby restaurants, food booths won’t be allowed.

The pilot runs through Nov. 20. A 10 foot by 5 foot booth will rent for $35 while a 10 square foot booth will cost $50 per night.Nonprofit organizations and artists may rent out the booths free of charge.

The grand opening’s success is contingent upon merchant participation, Lee said, adding that it couldn’t be postponed any closer to the rainy season. The goal now, he said, is to persuade merchants to rent out stalls.

Plans for a night market will only be Chinatown’s beginning steps to securing an economically stable future, however. “This won’t take one day or two days, said Yee. It’s going to take a while.”

The program is not expected to incur additional costs for policing, and volunteers and the Golden Gate Garbage Disposal to assist in garbage collection, organizers said.

Interested merchants should contact Bert Lee at 415-397-8000.