In 1966, PennDOT unveiled its new plan for the Vine Street Expressway, which called for the razing of the Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic Church and School. Concurrently, the city initiated plans for Metropolitan Hospital and Market Street East that would box Chinatown in on all sides, preventing relocation.  It seemed Chinatown would be destroyed without even having a chance to speak. For many residents, this was the last straw.

Led by Cecilia Moy Yep, a young widow with three small children, residents decided to fight for their homes and community.  The Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA), the only organization representing Chinatown at that time, assisted in organizing the first Town Meeting.

On March 27th 1966, associations, business owners, church leaders, sympathizers and residents gathered at the On Leong Merchants’ Association to discuss how we could counter plans proposed by the government agencies that would seriously impact the community.  From this meeting, the Committee for the Advancement and Preservation of the Chinatown Community was formed. The Committee was later incorporated into the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC) in 1969.