The International Special Review District (ISRD) has announced the winners of its annual board election after ballots were counted on the evening of December 2, according to an announcement posted on the Seattle Department of Neighbourhoods' Front Porch blog. This year's voting concluded with Hyan Ho securing Position #1, tailored for a Business owner, Property owner, or Employee, while Zhiyun Zhu and Kyle Jacobson won Position #2 and Position #4, respectively, both designated for a Resident, Tenant or Community Participant.
Hyan Ho, Zhiyun Zhu, and Kyle Jacobson will officially start their board member terms on January 1, 2026, joining the efforts of the ISRD to safeguard the cultural, economic, and historical qualities of the Chinatown International District (CID). Composed of seven members - with two appointed by the Mayor and five elected from within the community- the board's mission has been crucial since its establishment in 1973 to ensure that CID's unique character is both preserved and enhanced, with this election cycle notably finding 89 members of the community casting their votes.
The ISRD is coordinated by the Seattle Department of Neighbourhoods Historic Preservation Program, responsible for not only the district but also more than 400 historic structures, sites, objects, and vessels across the city. Focused on maintaining the essence of Seattle's eight historic districts, the board reflects an ongoing effort to engage the community in the stewardship of its own heritage and environment.
Furthermore, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON), established in 1991, aims to strengthen Seattle by creating inclusive opportunities for residents to partake in community-building and to receive equitable access to government, cited in the goals outlined on the aforementioned Front Porch blog; the DON runs programs such as Neighborhood Matching Fund, Small Sparks grants, P-Patch Gardening, Historic Preservation, and more, each designed to forge strong community links and drive sustainable solutions.
With the departure of Eric Chan and Gary Lee at the end of November 2025, the ISRD board turns a new chapter as Hyan Ho, Zhiyun Zhu, and Kyle Jacobson join to continue the delicate task of balancing modern development with the rich legacy bequeathed by past generations in the Chinatown International District.
