In a move to enhance neighborhood safety and encourage economic revitalization, Seattle’s Mayor Bruce Harrell, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), Amazon, and the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) recently announced the upcoming launch of the Chinatown-International District (C-ID) Ambassadors Program. Set to start on June 1, the initiative aims to support small businesses, improve neighborhood watchfulness, and foster a more vibrant community atmosphere in Japantown, Chinatown, and Little Saigon.
The ambassadors program plans to place culturally-aware teams throughout the neighborhood, tasked with assisting businesses, guiding visitors, and helping to forge safer, more engaged streets. This new partnership, as reported by the office of Mayor Harrell, leverages a combined $1 million investment from the City of Seattle and TAAF over a period of two years, marking an advancement in public-private partnerships dedicated to the upliftment of Seattle’s historic areas.
Mayor Harrell underscored the program's significance, stating, "With dedicated ambassadors on the ground, we are investing in safety, belonging, and visibility for one of our city’s most culturally significant communities." He emphasized the importance of making every individual in these neighborhoods feel "seen, supported, and safe."
The C-ID Ambassadors Program will educate teams to watch over blocks, support local businesses by mitigating disruptive behavior, and provide engagement services to individuals facing crisis with understanding and professionalism. These efforts were prompted by alarming statistics revealed in a 2024 TAAF survey, which found that 38% of AAPI adults in Seattle had experienced anti-Asian incidents in the past year, and more than half listed “public safety” as a problem needing attention. These ambassadors will effectively act as community-first responders aimed at maintaining public life with respect and dignity, according to the City of Seattle’s announcement.
Complementary initiatives such as AMPLIFY: Chinatown-International District, led by Intentionalist, are also being supported to promote spending and engagement with local small businesses. This builds on TAAF's broader "TAAF Cities" initiative alongside Amazon’s investment efforts, which include funding Friends of Little Sài Gòn and reviving the C-ID Night Market. In their commitment to the district, Amazon is contributing both financially and through employee engagement in community clean-ups, as detailed in the official press release.
Overall, these combined efforts showcase a strategic approach to support the C-ID in re-establishing a secure, prosperous, and connected community that honors its historical and cultural significance. Stakeholders from various sectors are coming together to champion the spirit of this Seattle neighborhood, as "safety Ambassadors help create that culture of everyday accountability," said Yenvy Pham, business owner in the C-ID, highlighting the program's potential to instill a sense of joint responsibility and active preservation.
