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At first glance, calling Chinatown the “International District” or “I.D.” seems like another instance of Seattle political correctness. But, as a trip to the I.D. quickly makes clear, the neighborhood is far too diverse to be just Chinatown. People of Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Korean, and Cambodian descent live and work alongside Chinese-Americans and other Asian-Americans, as well as a substantial population of non-Asians.
Originally a typical sort of insulated Asian-American neighborhood, today the I.D. is a vibrant, and increasingly affluent part of the city, though protected low-income housing ensures the neighborhood will not become overly gentrified. Besides ethnic shopping (the Uwajimaya mega-store is the biggest but far from the only example), the I.D. offers a wide range of excellent dining, the distinctive urban gardens, and the Wing Luke Asian Museum.
Some of the non-International aspects of the International District include a major Amazon.com office in the neighborhood and the proximity to the new sports stadiums. Once home to only the two-sport Kingdome, the area south of Downtown (and adjacent to the I.D.) now holds the Mariners’ Safeco Field and the Seahawks’ Qwest Field. The
stadiums pose a
dilemma for the I.D., since they
make parking almost impossible during home games, but they bring crowds
of sports fans eager to celebrate (or drown their sorrows) in the
neighborhood’s restaurants and cocktail lounges. |
