Growth in Chinatown Exposes a Deep Rift

But his role as mediator has been difficult. During meetings, the groups have planted themselves on opposite sides of his office. Some people had not spoken to each other in two years. And when they do speak, their words are harsh.

Chi said it's time for the steering committee to step aside or to at least allow others to be included in negotiations with developers and the city about what should be in Chinatown.

"They have so much passion, but it becomes the baggage," he said. "They can't see the forest for the trees."

Alfred Liu, the architect who designed the archway in the 1980s, even balked at Wang's unofficial title as the community's mayor. "The mayor of Chinatown. . . . Did we have an election?" said Liu, who has ditched his seat on the steering committee for one with the revitalization council.

The city Office of Planning gives weight to the steering committee's recommendations when considering developments. Wang, with Cheng at his side, represented the neighborhood in one of the biggest developments in recent history in Chinatown: a 360,000-square-foot office building with a 300-space underground parking garage along Massachusetts Avenue proposed last year by developer Kingdon Gould III.

The steering committee and the revitalization council, along with downtown business groups, liked the idea because the block had deteriorated -- it's dotted with abandoned houses -- and Gould promised to incorporate Chinese motifs in the design. The hope was that the development could revitalize that area, a block from the bustle of H Street.

That's where the alley fight came in.

As other developers have done, Gould said he offered the steering committee a "benefits package" as a good-neighbor gesture. He offered $1 million for affordable housing in Chinatown, 13,000 square feet of space for community activities, $100,000 in grants for programs and 10 free parking spots for committee members, according to documents submitted to the D.C. Council.

Gould's pledges hinged on closing part of the alley to make a service entrance, according to documents submitted to the D.C. Council.

But the alley happens to be right behind the homes of several steering committee members. They objected, and Wang and Cheng backed them, citing inconvenience and a potential increase in crime.

At a June council hearing, Gould testified that Wang and Cheng would not compromise.

Gray stepped in to mediate the impasse behind closed doors.