Chinatown revival reshapes Cass Corridor
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The renovated former Chung's restaurant building, left, and the same building in 2022, right. Photos: Joe Guillen/Axios
The Chinatown revival that began two years ago has made significant progress, with freshly developed retail space, a new historical marker and a Cass Corridor block party planned next month.
Why it matters: A new Pan-Asian neighborhood around Cass Avenue and Peterboro Street would honor the past while establishing new community bonds, neighborhood amenities and businesses that celebrate the region's Asian American community.
State of play: Central to the neighborhood revitalization plan was the restoration of 3175 Cass Ave., better known as the former Chung's Restaurant, which fell into disrepair after closing in 2000.
- The developer is now seeking tenants to fill three spaces inside the building, which has already brightened up the Peterboro block with its new, bright red pagoda-style roof.
What they're saying: A new Chinese restaurant ideally would occupy the building's primary space, with other businesses like Asian grocery stores and restaurants in the other two, Mike Essian, vice president of the local development company that bought the Chung's building, tells Axios.
Flashback: The new Chinatown effort was sparked in 2023 by the demolition of a vacant 19th century Cass Corridor building that once housed the Chinese Merchants Association.
- The destruction inspired local leaders to restore the area's cultural heritage.
Zoom out: The area envisioned as the new Pan-Asian district is within the lower Cass Corridor and loosely bound by Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Park Avenue, Temple Street and 3rd Avenue.
- Other businesses in the area include the Detroit Shipping Company, The Peterboro restaurant and Craig's Coffee.
The latest: The city unveiled a new street sign on Monday at the corner of Peterboro and Cass to honor Vincent Chin, a Chinese American who died in 1982 after two white men beat him in Highland Park, blaming him for the Japanese auto industry's impact on American jobs.
- State Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) said she hopes the sign's onlookers learn about Chin's case and its relevance today, the Free Press reported.
The big picture: Chang also serves on the Detroit Chinatown Vision Committee, which is driving the revitalization effort and planning next month's block party.
- She also helped secure $1 million in state funds last summer for upcoming streetscape improvements.
What's next: The 1st Annual Detroit Chinatown Block Party is July 26 from noon-8pm at Peterboro and Cass.