PHILADELPHIA CHINATOWN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

pcdcstaff Events May 7, 2019 | 0

PRESS RELEASE: Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation Announces Plans for a Business Improvement District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Lamei Zhang
Projects Manager
Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation
215-922-2156
Lzhang@chinatown-pcdc.org

PHILADELPHIA, PA (May 7th, 2019) – The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation pursues the creation of a Business Improvement District.

Chinatown is a destination to over a million visitors to the area, and home to over 200 small businesses. Although Chinatown hosts events and activities year-round, there is an increased need to organize the business community to become more vibrant and competitive.

In May of 2018, PCDC surveyed 54 small businesses to identify their challenges and needs. Their responses showed that businesses are competing in a challenging environment. Over half of those surveyed faced challenges with increased taxes, rent, and a lack of parking. In the last three years, real estate taxes have tripled for some, resulting in increased operating costs.

In 2017, PCDC published the Chinatown Neighborhood Plan, a comprehensive plan based on the feedback of 1,300 residents, businesses, and community stakeholders from Chinatown and Chinatown North/Callowhill. This process identified cleaner streets, a lack of public trash cans, illegal dumping, and poorly maintained sidewalks as priorities in the community.

A Business improvement District has many advantages. When accomplished through a transparent and inclusive process, it will help strengthen small businesses by supporting neighborhood retail and giving a voice to business owners in local government, and provide services, such as sanitation and maintenance that benefit everyone.

PCDC continues to invite input from all community members. Questions and comments can be sent to PhillyChinatownDistrict@gmail.com.

Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, community based organization and was founded in 1966 to preserve, protect, and promote Chinatown as a viable ethnic residential and business community.

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