The Chinese Cultural Center Petition

The new owner of the Phoenix Chinese Cultural Center (now know as Outlier LLC )plans to strip away all elements of Chinese culture. This would destroy an important piece of Arizona\’s history. We urge you to preserve our Chinese cultural heritage, Phoenix\’s first Chinatown.

The Phoenix Chinese Cultural Center, also known as the COFCO center, was built by the first owner with help from community volunteers and donations from local Chinese immigrants with support from the City of Phoenix government. Special materials and supplies were brought from China, and skilled workers from China spent years making this one of the most beautiful Chinese Cultural Centers in North America. The names of donors are engraved in the Wall of Honor, and it has become a Phoenix landmark, and part of Arizona\’s history.

For the last two decades, the Center has played an important role in the Valley of the Sun. Chinese New Year performances and celebrations have educated both tourists and locals about Chinese culture, and the garden and its artifacts are an important example of Chinese workmanship and cultural significance.

While the new owner has recognized the historical importance of the Center, and has offered the garden artifacts, we want to save the entire Chinese Cultural Center. It would be impossible to fully disassemble and restore the center\’s heritage at another location.

Conservation of culture and history encourages building strong relationships with the local community to address its needs; preserving the Phoenix Chinese Cultural Center will benefit business and long-term development of the area, and maintain an important piece of Arizona\’s history.

Please sign this petition to share your support for preventing the destruction of the Phoenix Chinese Cultural Center.