urbanSTL

Also, interesting video I ran into, although it's from the beginning of the year, it's still sad.



I hope that the report isn't true, and that things will turn around. (btw, who is the journalist - so slow and tired...just adds to the sentiment of decline in the city ARGHHH!!!)



Do you think the taxes are raised solely in the olive area due to the prospect of a chinatown? I guess maybe they jumped the gun?



http://video.aol.com/video-detail/hopes ... /919646477

innov8ion wrote:

phoaddict wrote:Do you think the taxes are raised solely in the olive area due to the prospect of a chinatown?

Due to the prospect of a Chinatown? I thought there is what can be considered a Chinatown in UCity? At least a suburban version of one.



As far as I know, taxes go up at the same rate as the Loop yet no one has cried of discrimination against hippy, bohemian types. But who knows, maybe UCity is out to get Chinese hippies. I've seen stranger things for sure.

yes, "prospect" of a chinatown. I think what olive is now isn't quite an official chinatown. remember the discussions 6+ months ago of U city not declaring that part of olive an official chinatown.



to me, it's just a suburban road with some international restaurants and a few stores...typical for a diverse suburban area in any major city, that wouldn't think twice of it being a "chinatown".



to me it reminds me of a typical road in arlington, VA.

innov8ion wrote:^ Well then the fact that it's just another suburban road to our all-knowing and wise Chinese superhero indicates why this area may not be thriving as a Chinatown. Probably more reasonable than your presupposition of targeted taxation to run both the Chinese and hippies out of UCity.



And if a Chinese-American doesn't consider it to be a Chinatown, why would should a governmental entity? Official designations do not matter. Do you think the ice cream cone felt left out until Missouri named it the official dessert of the state? Or the Bluebird, until it miraculously appeared on the state license plate?



There's tons of Bosnians that live in the Bevo area. Tons of Jews in UCity. As far as I know, there's no official recognition for them. Do you want a cookie, phoaddict? I'm sure there are plenty of forum members that would bake you a nice batch of cookies if it would make you feel better.

it seems from your response, i've come across as st. louis bashing?



yes, as a matter of fact it IS just like another diverse suburban road in another major city. should i compare the numbers of "diverse" restaurants and retail to a section in arlington or houston, to make it factual? and no, that's not why i indicated it's not a thriving chinatown. all i mentioned was a thought that U city was lifting taxes in the area as if to squeeze as much out of the retail in the thought it was going to be a booming chinatown...jumping the gun i guess - not to run people out. (where did you get that i thought they were trying to run people out?)



we've had much discussion about designation of an official chinatown and the benefits of one in the city. i don't want to bring the arguments again...but if their is a little israel, then by all means bring it on. If the Jewish community was large and concentrated enough and the community wanted that, i think it would be great. I think then, the govt entity should then work with the community to see what could be done. WHY NOT. ("because that's not how the system works, geez phoaddict, you're too young to understand that")



Even the bevo area is referred to as little bosnia, although not designated officially..to my knowledge at least, what would be the harm if it was? If you don't like the concept of designated ethnic areas, what is your thoughts on the Hill? They put flags up so anyone passing would know that's the Italian place where i find italian food/culture. etc. I can't describe how many times Asian family members or friends or visitors come to stl from other places outside the midwest and ask...where's the chinatown (aka, where can i find good authentic chinese/viet food not americanized)? and no, pf changs doesnt count. ( i think that was voted #1 chinese restaurant in RFT... seriously?)



like what's been discussed before, first generation immigrants feel comfortable with the presence of such ethnic neighborhoods, indicating an acceptance from the American community, which attracts more immigrants, and the official designation of such neighborhoods or areas like a chinatown makes it known to people that these exist.



cookie? sure. how fresh will they be if sent to chicago?



chinese superhero? i thought you were better than that.

Nice! I don't think that the name really matters at this point. If a critical mass is achieved then it will be known as Chinatown by more and more people and then it will be closer to being officially designated as such. For the record, I think it's ridiculous that black and white owners of businesses resist the designation - as if ONLY Chinese people can have a business or shop in a "Chinatown". It's called marketing, but whatever.