City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: APRIL 11, 2023 FROM: OFFICE OF THE MAYOR WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE DOSAN AHN CHANG HO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION OF THE AMERICAS to explore the development of a korean-american cultural heritage center in riverside ISSUE:
Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Riverside and the Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Memorial Foundation of the Americas and the City of Riverside to work together to explore the development of a Korean-American Cultural Heritage Center celebrating Civil Rights Leader Dosan Ahn Chang Ho and commemorating Korean history in Riverside.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Riverside and the Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Memorial Foundation of the Americas to explore the development of a Korean-American Cultural Center; Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Memorandum of Understanding, including making minor and non-substantive change.
BACKGROUND:
Pachappa Camp was founded in 1905 in Riverside by Korean patriot and civil rights leader Dosan Ahn Chang Ho, known for his role in the Korean independence movement, while acting as Minister of Labor of the Korean Provisional Government in exile. The camp was home to 300 Koreans. Dosan Ahn Chang Ho worked in the California Citrus Industry and was a leader in the Korean-American Community where he advocated for the principles of democracy and freedom.
In August 2001, the Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Memorial statue was erected on Riverside’s Main Street Pedestrian Mall. This statue celebrates Dosan’s leadership in democracy, and freedom. Dosan went on to be a leader in the Korean independence and empowerment movement and would eventually take these principles back to Korea to advocate for freedom from Japanese occupation.
According to Dr. Edward Chang, Professor of Ethnic Studies and founding Director of the Young Oak Kim Center for Korean American Studies at the University of California at Riverside (UCR), the Pachappa settlement and Dosan Ahn Chang Ho’s time in Riverside have largely been missed by historical scholars. In December 2016, the City Council adopted a resolution recognizing Pachappa Camp, located at 3096 Cottage Street, as a City Point of Cultural Interest.
Riverside’s Sister City, Gangnam, South Korea, has also commemorated Dosan Ahn Chang Ho with a prominent statue in their city center. Together we have a shared heritage around the civil rights leader.
Sister City Program
A Sister City relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries, with the objective of facilitating transnational partnerships, cultural exchanges, and economic cooperation. Riverside presently has nine sister city relationships. This program was instrumental in bringing the City’s signature event, the Festival of Lights, to downtown Riverside and garnering and economic impact of $129.7 million. Further examples of return on investment through Riverside’s international relations include the Long Night of Arts and Innovation which was inspired by a similar event in Erlangen, Germany, and the thousands of international students who study at Riverside’s universities and colleges from our sister city regions around the world.
DISCUSSION:
The Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Memorial Foundation of the Americas (the Foundation) has been actively advocating and fundraising in California and South Korea for the development of a Korean-American Cultural Center celebrating Dosan Ahn Chang Ho in Riverside. They advocate to lease land inside Citrus State Historic Park as potential site for a Dosan Citrus Heritage Park.
Mayor Lock Dawson will lead a trade delegation departing on April 21, 2023, for Gangnam, South Korea. The Mayor recommends approval of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the City and the Foundation to explore developing a Korean-American Cultural Center. Following City Council approval, the MOU will be ready for signature before the Mayor’s departure on the Trade Mission The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), a regional economic forum of the Pacific Rim economies will be held in San Francisco the week of November 12, 2023. This event happens once every 10 years in the United States. The president of South Korea is expected to attend and is scheduled to visit the Korean Consul in Los Angeles ahead of this event. Should the Dosan Project be ready to break ground before APEC, the Korean Consul will advocate for the President of Korea to visit Riverside for the groundbreaking.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 1 – Arts, Culture and Recreation and Goal 1.1 – Strengthen Riverside’s portfolio of arts and culture programs and amenities through expanded community partnerships.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The proposed MOU will pave the way to celebrate an often-overlooked part of Riverside history in commemorating the distinct Asian-American experience in our region.
Equity – Riverside has taken significant steps in creating space for the Chicano heritage through creation and partnership with Cheech Marin at the Cheech. This project has brought millions of dollars in revenue to our region. A similar project for the Korean community will put Riverside on the map for Korean tourists and potentially bringing significant revenue to our region.
Fiscal Responsibility – The MOU states an intention to collaborate and does not create a financial obligation for the city.
Innovation – The MOU represents an innovative international partnership to advance a shared heritage of Korean history.
Sustainability & Resiliency – South Korea is a global leader in Clean and Green technology. The Mayor’s office would like to see this project include innovation already in use our South Korean Sister City.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this staff report.
Prepared by: Dr. Nathan Iverson, PhD
Approved by: Patricia Lock Dawson, Mayor Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
MOU between the City of Riverside and the Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Memorial Foundation of the Americas Maps
Presentation
MOU for Exploration of a Korean-American Cultural Center ● Page 2