Asian District updates
Asian Business District united by leadership
By Bryan Dean
The Oklahoman
Monthly meetings in the basement of a northwest Oklahoma City church have all the makings of a culture clash.
Instead, people with competing interests and from vastly different backgrounds work through disagreements.
Oklahoma City's Asian Business District is a mixture of Asian and non-Asian-owned businesses along Classen Boulevard between NW 23 and NW 30. The area is growing, and Ward 2 Councilman Sam Bowman credits the leadership of the business district for its success.
Tuan Khuu, president of the Asian Business District, said the group's strategy is to unite district members.
"Already we do have to overcome the fact that the name is the Asian Business District," Khuu said. "We don't want people to feel excluded. It's an Asian district, but it encompasses both Asian businesses and non-Asian businesses and residents."
Listen first, talk second
Bowman started the group, hoping it would give the area a unified voice when dealing with the city.
He met with Ann Cong-Tang, owner of Kamp's Market, and Scott Keneda, pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, over coffee at Kamp's deli. Bowman got more than he expected.
Keneda offered the church's basement as a home for the meetings. The church, 1401 NW 25, is near the district's center. Keneda earned so much respect from the group, he was elected as its only non-Asian officer. Khuu, an attorney with two offices in the district, was elected the group's president.
City planner Bob Mier, who has worked with the group since it began, said Khuu and Keneda listen.
"They wanted to emphasize inclusion. They wanted everyone involved," Mier said.
There were initial concerns from some residents that their interests would be overrun by the growing business development, Khuu said. Khuu also credits the city for its leadership. Bowman started the group and still attends meetings.
Mier is a direct link with city staff. He offers advice on how the group should proceed with its plans -- which city departments need to be contacted, what concerns need to be addressed for something to move forward.
Distinctly Asian, clearly American
Bowman cited a decision to identify the area with street signs as a good example of why the group works.
When members of the group met to discuss the issue, they talked about using Asian languages on the signs. Many cities with Asian districts have up to three languages on their signs, and Bowman said he expected Oklahoma City's Asian business owners would want the same. But the district's prominent red and white signs are printed only in English.
The group is starting a membership drive next month, and members decided to pair up, with one Asian and one non-Asian member going door-to-door on each block. Keneda calls the district, "distinctly Asian, but also clearly American."
The group is working on several projects with the city. Jan Moore and the Japanese American Society of Oklahoma City are planning a Japanese Garden in Military Park. Members are donating the time and the expertise to build and maintain the garden.
Vinh Nguyen, chairman of the Vietnamese American Community of Oklahoma City, is working with veterans groups to put a Vietnam War memorial in the park. Nguyen was a lieutenant colonel in the Republic of Vietnam army and fled from the country as American troops withdrew and communists advanced on Saigon.
Nguyen said the plan is still in its early stages, but he hopes to get city approval for the project and begin raising money soon.
The Asian Business District is the link between the city and those who want these projects to happen.
"One of the things that had been lacking was a strong sense of community in this area," Keneda said. "We are all tied together and the success of the community strengthens everyone."
Originally Posted by metro
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