Back in 2021, we shared a community profile about Friends of Little Saigon (FLS), an Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) partner, who were in the planning processes for their Little Saigon Landmark Project. The Little Saigon Landmark Project seeks to address displacement amongst local businesses and development pressures due to rising rents and is envisioned to be a mixed-use project with a cultural center, a grocery, restaurant and more. The video coincided with Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month in the month of May to celebrate our EDI partners who identify as AANHPI.
Where are they now?
Since then, FLS successfully purchased a site in 2023 to develop The Little Saigon Landmark Project. The organization has partnered with Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDPDA) to develop 71 units of affordable, family sized units above the Cultural Center. In addition to EDI funds, FLS secured $100,000 in State Appropriations and a legislative earmark via Congressmember Adam Smith’s office as well as funds from King County, totaling over $11 million. They are hosting community workshops through the fall to finalize the project design and anticipate raising the remaining funds to complete the housing portion from public subsidy and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Equity and other private sources. The partners hope to break ground late 2025!
About FLS
Founded in 2011, Friends of Little Saigon (FLS) has worked to address displacement, plan, and advocate for their neighborhood in Chinatown-International District. As part of this effort, the Little Saigon Landmark Project has worked to become a cultural anchor for community to fight displacement pressures.
FLS in the News
- The Seattle Times: Seattle site found for Vietnamese cultural center, affordable housing
- Crosscut: Seattle will be home to region’s first Vietnamese community center
- NW Asian Weekly: Community input on the Landmark Project in Little Saigon gets sensory
For more information about FLS, Visit the FLS website.