Amending Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code, to add a new Chapter entitled "Empowering Communities for Cultural Preservation and Community Controlled Development" and thereby defining the boundaries of the Chinatown Growth Initiative area; providing for and establishing the procedure for a Right of First Refusal for a land trust managed and operated by the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation with regard to certain publicly owned properties within the Chinatown Growth Initiative area; identifying certain properties subject to the Right of First Refusal; establishing use and stewardship requirements for properties the land trust acquires; and authorizing the City to implement and enforce the requirements of the Chapter, all under certain terms and conditions.

Amending Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code, to add a new Chapter entitled “Empowering Communities for Cultural Preservation and Community Controlled Development” and thereby defining the boundaries of the Chinatown Growth Initiative area; providing for and establishing the procedure for a Right of First Refusal for a land trust managed and operated by the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation with regard to certain publicly owned properties within the Chinatown Growth Initiative area; identifying certain properties subject to the Right of First Refusal; establishing use and stewardship requirements for properties the land trust acquires; and authorizing the City to implement and enforce the requirements of the Chapter, all under certain terms and conditions. WHEREAS, Chinatown is a unique cultural and historical residential and mixed-use community It is a center of commerce, community services, and cultural traditions that must be preserved and protected from displacement, speculative development, and the loss of cultural integrity; and WHEREAS, The Council wishes to ensure that community members have meaningful control over the development and disposition of property in Chinatown so as to promote long-term affordability, cultural preservation, and support for local businesses; and WHEREAS, The City seeks to ensure the long-term preservation of Chinatown’s cultural heritage, prevent displacement of residents and locally owned businesses, and promote equitable develop…