Mission One: Project Phonebook

One of the initiatives that I am working on this summer is to organize a small reunion for former residents of Hudson Street and supporters of Parcel 24 this summer. Finding you (our supporters) is not that difficult. However, tracking down hundreds of former residents and business owners is another story.

After developing a plan about two weeks ago, I set off on my first mission: Project Phonebook. So, here are some observations...

Observation #1: Listen to the Librarian. She knows her stuff.

As I was scrolling and scanning through the enormous volumes for the word "Hudson Street," I suddenly realized that after years of Google searches, I had become incredibly uncomfortable with traditional research. After going through seemingly endless lists of names, the Librarian finally told me that that post-1940 phonebooks were also organized by street. Thank goodness.

Observation #2: Hudson Street made bean sprouts, hats, dresses, and coffee

In addition to the many hundreds of families on Hudson Street, it also had a thriving business district. With light manufacturing facilities, mom and pop grocery stores, the street must have been busy... and noisy. However, I am sure that the families on the street welcomed the frenetic tempo.

Observation #3: Lee Soo or Soo Lee?

While this is a rather silly question, I found several name changes over the course of the three year period I was looking at. If only I had the Chinese characters for some of these names...Not knowing this may be a create some issues down the road when I actually start the community outreach phase of the project.

Overall, this was a good exercise. In addition to identifying individuals, families and businesses who resided in the neighborhood, the phonebook gave me some context of what type of neighborhood Hudson Street was in the 1960s.

A new beginning

Over 40 years ago, Boston's Parcel 24, located on Hudson Street in Chinatown, was a thriving neighborhood. Home to an immigrant community that was predominantly Chinese, but also included Lebanese, Syrian and other ethinc groups.

Children played on the streets. Mothers caught up with their friends at doorsteps. There was a real sense of community in the neighborhood.

Then, in 1963, this neighborhood was part of a series of eminent domain takings by the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority ("MTA") and Massachusetts Highway Department (“MHD”) that substantially reduced the land area of Chinatown. These takings required the displacement of residents from Parcel 24 in order to construct part of the Metropolitan Highway System (i.e., the Central Artery highway structure) and the Boston Extension of the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Approximately 300 families and businesses were displaced...

Currently, the Asian Community Development Corporation ("ACDC") and the New Boston Fund Inc. ("New Boston") have been designated by the MTA to develop a mixed-income community on Parcel 24. The project will provide much needed community housing while restoring the fabric of a primarily residential neighborhood which existed on Hudson Street over 40-years ago.

While the construction of the physical property is scheduled for 2010, the construction of the Hudson Street community is well underway. The development of Parcel 24 has already generated buzz within greater Boston network. Neighbors and former residents of the Hudson Street alike have gathered together to build a new community. This support is not only critical to the success of the project, but also to the future of a vibrant and lively Chinatown.

To continue this momentum, it is important we have your support. If you are a former resident or know of former residents of Hudson Street, we would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment on this blog.