los angeles' thai town awarded "preserve america" status

Last month, First Lady Laura Bush awarded Los Angeles' Thai Town neighborhood federal recognition as a "Preserve America" community, signifying its value as a cultural and historic asset: First lady puts Thai Town on the map.

The designation will make Thai Town eligible for up to $250,000 in Preserve America grants, along with $250,000 in other public and private matching funds. Sounds like the neighborhood is getting a boost. But will it mean preservation... or gentrification?

Chinatown was also awarded Preserve America status last month. The two communities were part of a guided effort by the city of Los Angeles to win the federal designation for its five central Asian American enclaves—Thai Town, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Koreatown and Historic Filipinotown. Little Tokyo was the first to win recognition back in March. Applications are pending for Koreatown and Historic Filipinotown.