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International Special Review District Board announces candidates for annual election

courtesy of Imgur

The 2018 International Special Review District (ISRD) Board election will be held on Tuesday, November 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Bush Asia Hotel (409 Maynard Avenue South) in the plaza-level meeting room. Community members who are registered for this election are encouraged to vote.

Two board positions are up for election:

  • Position #3 for a Business Owner, Property Owner or Employee
  • Position #5 for At-Large

Nominations closed on Tuesday, October 23 and seven candidates were nominated. Candidate information is provided below, and brief candidate biographies will be available at the polling place on the day of the election.

Three candidates are seeking Position #3 for a Business Owner, Property Owner, or Employee:

  • Lizzy Baskerville is the garden manager for the Danny Woo Community Garden. She is interested in applying her experience as a community member and past applicant before the board to culturally-appropriate design and equitable development. She has degrees in both architecture and landscape architecture.
  • Tim Lee is a business and property owner within the District who is interested in helping to maintain the culture and history of the Chinatown International District while inviting new energy into the community. He is a member of the International Rotary Club of Seattle Chinatown and a founding member of the Bellevue Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
  • Jody Olney is an employee of the Seattle Indian Services Commission, which owns property in Little Saigon. She is interested in expanding community engagement and opportunities for the Native community to be more accessible and involved within the District.

Four candidates are seeking Position #5 for At-Large:

  • Matthew Chan supports multiple organizations within the neighborhood where he volunteers his time, including work with community newspapers, InterimCDA and the Wing Luke Museum. He is interested in development that takes community input, aesthetic design history, and the wellbeing of the neighborhood into account. He wants to bring awareness that the neighborhood is more than just a tourist destination and to help preserve its history.
  • Kim Demarest has been involved in outreach and community engagement related to the Acme Farms redevelopment project. She has a background in historic preservation and design. She is interested in assisting in the guidance of development of the newly expanded portions of the District and bringing experience as an applicant in working with the Board. She wants to advocate for the conservation of the pan-Asian culture within the District.
  • Tiernan Martin has been a resident within the neighborhood for the past nine years and is completing his first term on the ISRD Board. He is the current Board Chair. If re-elected, he will bring his experience as a Board member and as an urban planning analyst to his work on the Board. He looks forward to putting the new Design Guidelines to use and participating in meetings that are open, accessible, and welcoming to everyone.
  • Andy Yip is the Vice President of the Hong Kong Business Association of Washington, a member of the Hong Kong Business Association of Washington Foundation, and a member of the Seniors in Action Foundation. He has been involved in the neighborhood for over 14 years and witnessed the growth of the community. He would bring the perspective of an economist and real estate developer to his work with the Board.

The special character of the Chinatown International District is recognized and protected by City Ordinance. In 1973, the International Special Review District Board was created to preserve, protect, and enhance the cultural, economic, and historical qualities of the District. The Board is made up of seven members – five elected by the Chinatown International District community and two appointed by the Mayor. Board members’ terms are for two years, and members may serve up to two consecutive terms. To learn more about the election and the International Special Review District, please visit seattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/id.htm/.

The current board members are Eliza Chan, Stephanie Hsie (Vice-Chair), Sergio Legon-Talamoni, Tiernan Martin (Chair), and Russ Williams. There are two vacancies on the Board awaiting Mayoral appointment. The terms for Ms. Chan and Mr. Martin end in November 2018.

The International Special Review District is coordinated by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Historic Preservation Program.