On November 10, 2026, a significant milestone has been achieved for the rebuilding of 70 Mulberry Street, located in Manhattan’s Chinatown, which was severely damaged by a fire in 2020. After nearly seven years of waiting, the New York City government has officially broken ground on a redevelopment project valued at $184 million. The initiative will see the construction of an eight-story cultural and community center on the original site, with an increase of approximately 30% in public space. It is anticipated that the project will be completed by 2030, enabling the return of five community organizations to the location.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place at Sun Yat-sen Park in Chinatown. The event was attended by various officials, including Paul Ochoa, the Commissioner of the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), Yume Kitasei, Commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, State Senator Brian Kavanagh, and City Council Member Christopher Marte, among others.
Ochoa emphasized that 70 Mulberry Street holds significant cultural memories for the residents of Chinatown, and the community has relentlessly pursued its reconstruction over the years. He pointed out that the new building will provide a spacious permanent venue for the existing cultural and community service organizations.
Kitasei remarked that the project would balance historical preservation with modern needs, improving accessibility and energy efficiency to ensure that this century-old building continues to serve future generations.
Originally constructed in 1892 as Public School 23, 70 Mulberry Street was repurposed in the mid-1970s into a vital space for community activities. It housed important organizations—including the Chinatown Senior Center, the Eastern Athletic Association, the Chen Dance Center, the Museum of Chinese in America, and the Chinatown Manpower Project—serving as a hub for the local population.
The building suffered extensive damage from a fire on January 23, 2020, forcing the five organizations to relocate to temporary quarters, which resulted in a reduction of some services.
According to the city government’s proposal, the new structure will retain parts of the original building’s two-story facade and historical staircase. It will feature six community activity rooms, a kitchen for the senior center, and a multifunctional hall on the sixth floor that can host performances, sports events, and banquets. The available event space will accommodate up to a maximum of 475 people.
Moreover, the new building will be equipped with three elevators and accessibility features, alongside a solar power system that is projected to supply up to 30% of the building’s annual electricity needs.
During an interview at the ceremony, City Council Member Marte noted that this groundbreaking marks a significant milestone for Chinatown. He reflected on witnessing the destruction of the building by fire in 2020 and underscored the community’s persistent advocacy for the city’s progress on the reconstruction.
Regarding the lengthy delays in the project, Marte explained that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic post-fire, along with concerns about the building’s structural integrity and foundation safety, led to an extended timeline for the preliminary work.
“We are bringing our home back,” Marte stated, describing 70 Mulberry Street as a cornerstone of the Chinatown community that is imbued with generations of shared memories. He expressed his eagerness to create even more cherished moments in the new facility once it opens.
In addition, the new building will showcase a public artwork titled “Wings of Everchange,” created by Chinese artist Jennifer Wen Ma. This piece will incorporate items salvaged from the fire, sculptures, and oral histories from the community, aiming to preserve the collective memory of Chinatown for years to come.