A preservation study by Colorado Asian Pacific United, composed of cultural leaders and allies, focuses on the economic burden of operating businesses in Little Saigon and the potential redevelopment of the Asia Center. These concerns are addressed by emphasizing the importance of community support and advocating for tangible results in the neighborhood.
Along Federal Boulevard in southwest Denver, a stretch of Asian restaurants, grocery stores and family-owned shops makes up one of the city's most vibrant cultural corridor s — Little Saigon .
Right in the heart of the business district sits Truong An Gifts, and store owner Mimi Luong describes as a one-stop shop.
'It's a little bit of everything like an Asian department store,' Luong said. Luong is proud of her family's legacy there, but she knows the neighborhood faces real challenges.
'Rent is high, food cost is high. Just owning any kind of business, the cost is high,' Luong said. Just last week, Denver7 covered concerns surrounding the proposed redevelopment of the Asia Center, another Little Saigon staple. Developers are proposing a four-story building with retail and apartments there.
To help protect Little Saigon's future, Colorado Asian Pacific United — a coalition of cultural leaders and allies — released a 2026 preservation study. Executive Director Joie Ha says it compiles three years of data from business and property owners, highlighting concerns about crumbling infrastructure, public safety and a lack of support. ► Watch Claire Lavezzorio's report in the player below:'We need support from policy makers,' Ha said.
'We need support from local organizations to make sure that these recommendations don't live on this page and they actually materialize into tangible results in the neighborhood. ' Among the study's recommendations is launching a community advisory group to tackle redevelopment and safety concerns — something Ha says will get underway this summer.
'Really having a concentrated effort to make sure that Little Saigon remains Little Saigon, and it remains a place where our community can see themselves in,' Ha said. For Luong, the effort is personal.
'And I have two boys myself, I would love to see them have a space that they can be proud of that shows their culture, their heritage,' Luong said. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Business Culture Little Saigon Cultural Corridor Asian Restaurants Grocery Stores Business District Rent Food Cost High Cost Of Ownership Redevelopment Revitalization Cultural Leaders Policy Makers Local Organizations
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Broncos Cut Two Vets as 13 College Free Agents Flood the RosterThe Denver Broncos made some tough roster decisions on Friday.
Read more »
Denver police reverse course on loosening Taser policy after watchdog cries foulThe Denver Police Department broadened its use-of-force policy to allow officers to use Tasers in more circumstances for 10 days last month, then reversed course and rescinded the new policy after the city’s police watchdogs…
Read more »
Denver Summit FC: Pitchside | Episode Nine: No Time to FoldMy name is Nick Rothschild and I’m the corny, Star-Wars-joke-telling weekend sports anchor here at Denver7.
Read more »
Denver's Independent Monitor releases report raising concerns over potential DPD Taser policy changeVeronica Acosta joined Denver7 in January 2021 as a reporter.
Read more »