Results for the International Special Review District Board elections held on Tuesday, November 19 were announced last week. Three positions were decided.
• Joann Ware won Position #1 for a District business person, property owner, or employee. Ware works for InterIm CDA on community-based design projects and affordable housing.
• Ben Grace won Position #2 for a resident, tenant, or community participant. Grace is involved in the Chinatown Historical Alley Project. Earlier this year, Grace led the project to translate street signs in Chinatown and Japantown (Nihonmachi). Grace is also an employee of the Chinatown International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA).
• Carol Leong won Position #4 for a resident, tenant or community participant. Leong is part of the third generation of her family to live, work, or volunteer in the Chinatown/International District. She has participated in the Seattle Chinese Athletic Association (SCAA) and the Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team. For the past 15 years, she has served as the volunteer coordinator of Sifu David F. Leong’s Northwest Kung Fu and Fitness, where she has participated in the Chinatown Parade and served as a scholarship coordinator and youth mentor. She is also involved with the neighborhood Block Watch.
Ware will begin serving a second term, and new board members Grace and Leong will begin their terms in December.
In 1973, the International Special Review District Board was created to preserve, protect and enhance the cultural, economic and historical qualities of the District. The Board is composed of seven members — five elected by the Chinatown International District community and two appointed by the Mayor. Board members’ terms are for two years, and members may serve up to two consecutive terms.
The current board members are Candace Chin, Ben Grace, Carol Leong, Miye Moriguchi, Martha Rogers, and Joann Ware. There is a current vacancy. Outgoing board members are Ching Chan and Marvin Rosete.
The International Special Review District is coordinated by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Historic Preservation Program, which is responsible for the designation and protection of more than 400 historic structures, sites, objects, and vessels, as well as eight historic districts located throughout the city.
The International Special Review District is one of Seattle’s eight historic districts. The district was established by the City of Seattle through an ordinance in 1973 to preserve the district’s unique Asian American character and to encourage rehabilitation of areas for housing and pedestrian-oriented businesses. The Seattle Chinatown National Register Historic District is located within the International Special Review District.
There is an International Special Review District Board meeting on Tuesday, December 10 at 4:30 p.m. in the Bush Asia Center, 409 Maynard Avenue S., IDEA Space meeting room (basement level). Any member of the public is welcome to attend and provide comment.
TO VIEW THE DECEMBER 10 AGENDA, CLICK HERE
