i'm roy chan. i represent chinatown community development center, and we stand with our neighbors at mutt will polk neighborhood association in opposition to this proposal. allowing a stand-alone big box formula retail at the site would simply disrupt the independent retail ecosphere that has defined this part of polk street and coincidentally chinatown. for over 40 years, chinatown cdc has a history of maintaining quality of life and neighborhood character, and we understand well the negative impact of formula retail moving in to established commercial corridors and we've even put into place zoning that restricts use size as well as formula retail. a 365 store moving into this site would further fuel the gentrifying trends we see, where lower income residents historically contribute tot unique cultural traditions and entities that define this city. specifically with the recent acquisition of whole foods by amazon, a 365 store could pose an even greater threat to beyond just the impact in nearby re

my name is roy chan. i am a chinatown community planner at c.d.c. in 1940, my dad was a teen achbager who worked on a ship in san francisco, and because war broke how the in the pacific, i had to find a way to stay in the city. during that time, the exclusion act was in full effect thanks to julius kahn. he actually called the chinese the most debasing people on the face of the earth. my dad's outlet was tai chi, and he would go to local playgrounds to practice it, as a way to feel he belonged in a city, in a country where he was constantly told he didn't belong and was not welcome. and so if it wasn't for the repeal of the act, he wouldn't have become a citizen, and i wouldn't be standing here today. i believe that there's power in history in place and names, and renaming this park is a critical step for our city to work towards one which our public spaces are safe spaces where all feel welcome. so -- so the next time i bring my kids to this park, i sincerely hope that it would be way more than a teachable moment where i have to force them to -- fo