City recommits funding for increasing Chinatown vibrancy over 2025-26

Signs for Chinatown businesses can be seen on 97 Street and 105 Avenue on Aug. 2, 2024. (Jeremy Thompson/CTV News Edmonton)

The City of Edmonton has replenished an almost $500,000-fund for revitalizing Chinatown.

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The Chinatown Vibrancy Fund, a $480,000 program launched in April 2024, is being topped up with another $960,000 to be spent over the next two years, the city announced on Thursday.

“We want to continue to uplift and celebrate all that Chinatown has to offer, both as a historic hub and also as an economic driver,” Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said during a news conference at the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society (CTCS) on 97 Street. “That means investing in community-led projects and events that create momentum and have a lasting impact on this dynamic neighbourhood.”

According to the city, more than a dozen projects were funded through the program in 2024.

One of those was the June block party on 98 Street by Van Loc, the Vietnamese submarine shop.

One of Van Loc’s owners said the festival drew Edmontonians of all ages to Chinatown for two days, which he considers a great success.

“Our goal and our role is not only business acquisitions and starting new business here in the city, but it’s actually to inspire the youth to really put money where their mouth is and make Edmonton their city and make an impact in this community,” Wilson Wong said.

He spoke passionately on Thursday about the courage that is required to revitalize Chinatown, where businesses and residents have reported an unsustainable level of crime and social disorder.

“You can only say so much about your own backyard. If you’re going to be here in the city and you want to frequent all the businesses, you got to stop talking ill about it. You got to contribute,” Wong said.

“I’m doubling down in Chinatown.”

Sohi acknowledged Chinatown’s continued social struggles but insisted investment like the vibrancy fund is a part of the solution, alongside increased policing, bylaw, and social work – which he said have led to a drop in crime across the city by 13 per cent.

“I think things are improving and things will continue to improve because of the investment we are making. But I also want to acknowledge – and it is very important for all of us to understand – that CTCS does not control the factors that lead to social disorder. We are not responsible for mental health; that’s a health issue. We are not responsible for addictions recovery; that’s a health-care issue. We are doing our part on housing… That is why the other two orders of government – who have more resources, more jurisdiction, more responsibility and more authority – they need to step up more. And that’s where my advocacy comes in.”

As of Thursday, community groups and organizations who can demonstrate how they increase Chinatown’s vibrancy and contribute to the city’s Chinatown Strategy can apply for funding.

A panel of community members reviews the applications and selects recipients.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson