Urban Renewal
In recent years, the city's focus has been onfostering the growth of Asian-American-ownedbusinesses like Toh's rather than just excludingsexually-oriented industries from the Combat Zone.
In 1993, the city purchased and renovated theChina Trade Center, which used to be known as theBoylston Building, on the corner of Boylston andWashington Streets.
Former Mayor Flynn told The Globe thatthe real-estate deal signaled the start of anintensive plan to convert the Combat Zone into anew Asian-American business center.
Today, the China Trade Center, which housesover a dozen Asian-American-owned businesses,ranging from barber shops to travel agencies,sticks out as the only modern office structure ina stretch of graffiti-covered, run-down buildings.
Quinn says the city purchased the "gateway intoChinatown" under its urban renewal plan, but doesnot actively seek out Asian-American-ownedbusinesses to occupy it.
Chinatown's expansion into the Combat Zone ischanging the role of the ethnic center as well asthe pornography zone, according to Paul H.M. Lee,a member of the Chinese Economic DevelopmentCouncil, the first federally-funded organizationthat supplies affordable housing and office spaceto Asian-American businesses.
"Chinatown will be the hub for Asian activityin Boston," Lee says. "Agencies and organizationsare locating there."
Lee says Liberty Bank & Trust, the Grand Chinarestaurant and many more restaurants and shops arein the process of opening on lower WashingtonStreet, in the heart of the Combat Zone.
The area is becoming a large meeting place forAsian commerce, socialization and worship, Leesays.
"The Boston Chinese Anglican Church draws 1,000people to Sunday mass," Lee says. "People wouldrather come into town than have the church moveinto the suburbs."