Chinatown CDC's interest in preserving and improving Chinatown's historic alleys is longstanding. This issue was of particular concern because the City, until recently, did not acknowledge any responsibility for maintaining Chinatown's alleyways. Between 1980 and 1991, Chinatown CDC, with the Chinatown Alleyway Improvement Association (CAIA), a neighborhood volunteer group comprised of merchants, residents and other interested persons with a stake in the alleys, was able to renovate 11 alleys, utilitizing CDBG funds, on a piecemeal basis.

Today, in partnership with the San Francisco Department of Public Works, we are in the process of renovating 31 alleyways under the new Chinatown Alleyway Master Plan. After years of community advocacy, led by Chinatown CDC, there is currently $2.3 million allocated from gas tax funds for alleyway improvements over the next 10 years.