Chinatown Square
Encyclopedia
Chinatown Square is a two-story outdoor mall located in Chinatown, Chicago
, a mile (1.6 km) from the center of Chicago
just north of the main Wentworth Avenue District (the main Chinatown Street). Chinatown Square, on 45 acres (182,108.7 m²) of reclaimed land from a former railroad yard, houses mostly restaurants, retail space, boutiques, banks, clinics, beauty shops, and a handful of offices. This outdoor mall is the largest Chinese mall in the US east of San Francisco and west of New York City
. In the middle of the mall, there are statues of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac
from Xiamen
, China. Other landmarks in the mall include twin pagodas.
The mall opened in 1993 as a result of the efforts of Chinese activists who wanted more land from the city of Chicago. In the 1970s, Chinatown's land has been reduced due to the construction of the New Chinatown Expressway, the Dan Ryan Expressway
(I-90/I-94) and the Stevenson Expressway
(I-55). This created a problem of overcrowding and reduced the possibility of further expansion. On the present location of Chinatown Square, there was a large railroad yard in the 1980s. The conversion of this rail yard led to the creation of Chinatown Square, allowing for much needed commercial and residential expansion. New parks were created at the same time along the Chicago River
. Chinatown Square was developed by the Chinese American Development Corporation.
on the Riverfront of the Chicago River
.
During various festivals, such as Chinese New Year
or the Autumn Moon Festival, stage performances and other entertainments are presented near the animal statues.
When environmental contamination was discovered on the site, the owners, BNSF Railway
, balked at the high cost of remediation and sought to cancel the sale. Senator Simon negotiated a compromise. The railroad paid for the removal four feet of contaminated soil that was replaced with a clay cap before closing the transaction.
Financing for the purchase of the land was arranged by the then Mayor of Chicago, Harold Washington. A loan for $4–6 million at a below-market interest rate was made by the City of Chicago to CADC for the purchase of the land. The liaison between the City of Chicago and CADC was Valerie Jarrett, who is currently one of President Obama's advisers. The City of Chicago further supported the project by using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to finance the construction of infrastructure that served the project.
Governor Jim Edgar
(R) supported the project by having the State of Illinois present a $1 million grant to the Chinese American Development Fund (CADF) as a 501(c)(3). The CADF was formed for the creation and maintenance of a Chinese American Museum that would be housed in the former commissary building.
The State also financed the building of affordable housing on the site. The construction of the residential portion started after the completion of the commercial portion in 1993. These were among the first residential buildings built on the site. The residential development was faced with a deep recession and a slow absorption rate, the project floundered after building the first 24 residential units north of China Place. A partnership was formed with Richland Realty to develop the remaining residential portion. Subsequent sale of land resulted in the building of a senior's housing project by the Chinese American Service League, plus the Chinese American Service League's own main office on Tan Court. Another portion on Cermak and Princeton was sold to Walgreens
.
The last expansion of the mall was in the summer of 2007; this phase eliminated the bankrupt Oriental Foods, a huge supermarket that acted as an anchor store on the East Side. More specialty shops and a bank were added.
The Chicago Park District unveiled plans for a large park running along the Chicago River near Chinatown Square in 1991. The first phase was the "Passive" park which is now the Ping Tom Memorial Park
. The park still has elevan acres of undeveloped land, and plans are in the works for further improvements.
and gives a nod to the traditional design of the Chinese Imperial Court. The square is filled with numerous works of art commissioned by the CADC for the project. In seeking a balance between design and functionality, the square has a sewer easement that does not permit any permanent structures diagonally all the way to the Chicago River.
The design of a smaller courtyard created the ambiance of a traditional village center with a pagoda that houses an elevator shaft. Janet Shen, the landscape architect for the project, included numerous Ginkgo trees to further accentuate the Chinese flavor of the courtyard. These trees have since been removed.
animals grace three sides of the square. These work of art were commissioned to the Xiamen University
Art Department in Xiamen
, Fujian
, People's Republic of China
. Each of the statues were sponsored by private donors who contributed towards the Chinese Museum's endowment fund.
A large tile mosaic mural faces Archer Avenue on the north side of the Square. This mural was commissioned by CADC and completed by artists Yan Dong, Professor of Art at Xin Hua University, and Zhou Ping, from the Movie and Television School in Beijing
. Zhou Ping's sister Zhou Ling is a resident of Chicago. The mural represents the history and accomplishments of Chinese in America. The four pillars represent the technology, art, and literature of China, and Chinese contributions to the West.
Chinatown, Chicago
The Chinatown neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, is on the South Side , centered on Cermak and Wentworth Avenues, and is an example of an American Chinatown, or ethnic-Chinese neighborhood. By the [ftp://ftp2.census.gov/census_2000/datasets/demographic_profile/Illinois/2kh17.pdf 2000 Census], has...
, a mile (1.6 km) from the center of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
just north of the main Wentworth Avenue District (the main Chinatown Street). Chinatown Square, on 45 acres (182,108.7 m²) of reclaimed land from a former railroad yard, houses mostly restaurants, retail space, boutiques, banks, clinics, beauty shops, and a handful of offices. This outdoor mall is the largest Chinese mall in the US east of San Francisco and west of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. In the middle of the mall, there are statues of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac
Chinese zodiac
The Shēngxiào , better known in English as the Chinese Zodiac, is a scheme that relates each year to an animal and its reputed attributes, according to a 12-year mathematical cycle...
from Xiamen
Xiamen
Xiamen , also known as Amoy , is a major city on the southeast coast of the People's Republic of China. It is administered as a sub-provincial city of Fujian province with an area of and population of 3.53 million...
, China. Other landmarks in the mall include twin pagodas.
The mall opened in 1993 as a result of the efforts of Chinese activists who wanted more land from the city of Chicago. In the 1970s, Chinatown's land has been reduced due to the construction of the New Chinatown Expressway, the Dan Ryan Expressway
Dan Ryan Expressway
The Dan Ryan is an expressway in the city of Chicago that runs from the Circle Interchange with I-290 near downtown Chicago through the South Side of the city. It is designated as both Interstate 94 and Interstate 90 south to 66th Street, a distance of...
(I-90/I-94) and the Stevenson Expressway
Stevenson Expressway
The Stevenson Expressway is the major Interstate highway leading southwest out of the city of Chicago in Illinois. It is signed as Interstate 55 for the entire length....
(I-55). This created a problem of overcrowding and reduced the possibility of further expansion. On the present location of Chinatown Square, there was a large railroad yard in the 1980s. The conversion of this rail yard led to the creation of Chinatown Square, allowing for much needed commercial and residential expansion. New parks were created at the same time along the Chicago River
Chicago River
The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of that runs through the city of the same name, including its center . Though not especially long, the river is notable for being the reason why Chicago became an important location, as the link between the Great Lakes and...
. Chinatown Square was developed by the Chinese American Development Corporation.
Neighborhood
Chinatown Square is bordered by Archer Avenue (2100S) to the South, Princeton Ave (300W) to the West, Wentworth Ave (200W)to the East, China Place (2000S) to the North. Just to the North of Chinatown Square is the Ping Tom Memorial ParkPing Tom Memorial Park
Ping Tom Memorial Park is a public urban park in Chicago's Chinatown owned and operated by the Chicago Park District . Located on the south bank of the Chicago River, the park is divided into three sections by a Santa Fe rail track and 18th Street. Currently, only development in the area south of...
on the Riverfront of the Chicago River
Chicago River
The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of that runs through the city of the same name, including its center . Though not especially long, the river is notable for being the reason why Chicago became an important location, as the link between the Great Lakes and...
.
During various festivals, such as Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year – often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it actually is lunisolar – is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is an all East and South-East-Asia celebration...
or the Autumn Moon Festival, stage performances and other entertainments are presented near the animal statues.
History
The Chinese American Development Corporation (CADC) was formed on March 30, 1984 for the sole purpose of purchasing and developing the 32 acres (129,499.5 m²) site. Planning for the development of Chinatown Square has faced many hurdles since the idea's inception. The community faced competition for the site from a bid to move the United States Post Office's Main Office from Congress Parkway to the site. The Chinese American Civic Council rallied community support against the USPS' plans so that the site could be used to expand Chinatown. The turning point came when then Chief of Staff to Senator Paul Simon (D, Illinois), Nancy Chen, lobbied the Senator who intervened on behalf of the Chinese community. The Senator's parents were Presbyterian missionaries in China and he felt a deep sense of community with the Chinese people.When environmental contamination was discovered on the site, the owners, BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway
The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
, balked at the high cost of remediation and sought to cancel the sale. Senator Simon negotiated a compromise. The railroad paid for the removal four feet of contaminated soil that was replaced with a clay cap before closing the transaction.
Financing for the purchase of the land was arranged by the then Mayor of Chicago, Harold Washington. A loan for $4–6 million at a below-market interest rate was made by the City of Chicago to CADC for the purchase of the land. The liaison between the City of Chicago and CADC was Valerie Jarrett, who is currently one of President Obama's advisers. The City of Chicago further supported the project by using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to finance the construction of infrastructure that served the project.
Governor Jim Edgar
Jim Edgar
James Edgar is an American politician who was the 38th Governor of Illinois from 1991 to 1999 and Illinois Secretary of State from 1981 to 1991. As a moderate Republican in a largely blue-leaning state, Edgar was a popular and successful governor, leaving office with high approval ratings...
(R) supported the project by having the State of Illinois present a $1 million grant to the Chinese American Development Fund (CADF) as a 501(c)(3). The CADF was formed for the creation and maintenance of a Chinese American Museum that would be housed in the former commissary building.
The State also financed the building of affordable housing on the site. The construction of the residential portion started after the completion of the commercial portion in 1993. These were among the first residential buildings built on the site. The residential development was faced with a deep recession and a slow absorption rate, the project floundered after building the first 24 residential units north of China Place. A partnership was formed with Richland Realty to develop the remaining residential portion. Subsequent sale of land resulted in the building of a senior's housing project by the Chinese American Service League, plus the Chinese American Service League's own main office on Tan Court. Another portion on Cermak and Princeton was sold to Walgreens
Walgreens
Walgreen Co. , doing business as Walgreens , is the largest drugstore chain in the United States of America. As of August 31st, the company operates 8,210 locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1901, and has since expanded...
.
The last expansion of the mall was in the summer of 2007; this phase eliminated the bankrupt Oriental Foods, a huge supermarket that acted as an anchor store on the East Side. More specialty shops and a bank were added.
The Chicago Park District unveiled plans for a large park running along the Chicago River near Chinatown Square in 1991. The first phase was the "Passive" park which is now the Ping Tom Memorial Park
Ping Tom Memorial Park
Ping Tom Memorial Park is a public urban park in Chicago's Chinatown owned and operated by the Chicago Park District . Located on the south bank of the Chicago River, the park is divided into three sections by a Santa Fe rail track and 18th Street. Currently, only development in the area south of...
. The park still has elevan acres of undeveloped land, and plans are in the works for further improvements.
Architecture
Chinatown Square was designed by Harry Weese and AssociatesHarry Weese
Harry Mohr Weese was an American architect, born in Evanston, Illinois in the Chicago suburbs, who had an important role in 20th century modernism and historic preservation...
and gives a nod to the traditional design of the Chinese Imperial Court. The square is filled with numerous works of art commissioned by the CADC for the project. In seeking a balance between design and functionality, the square has a sewer easement that does not permit any permanent structures diagonally all the way to the Chicago River.
The design of a smaller courtyard created the ambiance of a traditional village center with a pagoda that houses an elevator shaft. Janet Shen, the landscape architect for the project, included numerous Ginkgo trees to further accentuate the Chinese flavor of the courtyard. These trees have since been removed.
Art
Statues representing the twelve Chinese zodiacChinese zodiac
The Shēngxiào , better known in English as the Chinese Zodiac, is a scheme that relates each year to an animal and its reputed attributes, according to a 12-year mathematical cycle...
animals grace three sides of the square. These work of art were commissioned to the Xiamen University
Xiamen University
Xiamen University , colloquially known as Xia Da , located in Xiamen, Fujian province, is the first university in China founded by overseas Chinese. Before 1949, it was originally known as the University of Amoy. The school motto is "Pursue Excellence, Strive for Perfection "...
Art Department in Xiamen
Xiamen
Xiamen , also known as Amoy , is a major city on the southeast coast of the People's Republic of China. It is administered as a sub-provincial city of Fujian province with an area of and population of 3.53 million...
, Fujian
Fujian
' , formerly romanised as Fukien or Huguing or Foukien, is a province on the southeast coast of mainland China. Fujian is bordered by Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, and Guangdong to the south. Taiwan lies to the east, across the Taiwan Strait...
, People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. Each of the statues were sponsored by private donors who contributed towards the Chinese Museum's endowment fund.
A large tile mosaic mural faces Archer Avenue on the north side of the Square. This mural was commissioned by CADC and completed by artists Yan Dong, Professor of Art at Xin Hua University, and Zhou Ping, from the Movie and Television School in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. Zhou Ping's sister Zhou Ling is a resident of Chicago. The mural represents the history and accomplishments of Chinese in America. The four pillars represent the technology, art, and literature of China, and Chinese contributions to the West.