There has been a fair amount of controversy surrounding the Chinese Cultural Center in Downtown Phoenix as of late, but it looks like the efforts of protesters and advocates to stave off a big revamp by the center’s new owner are reaching an end. 

Per AZ Central a last-ditch effort to save the cultural center, which has become an unofficial landmark to the Asian community, was discussed last week at a City Council meeting. The center’s visitors cite the gardens, historic statues, wood carvings, and classic Chinese pavilions as reasons they feel it's worth saving. Though a staff report had recommended denying the request for preservation, the protesters prevailed — sort of. 

Voting 8-0, with Councilman Daniel Valenzuela absent, the group was allowed time to conduct a survey evaluating the center’s historic significance. Results could potentially sway the council in the future. However, there were no specific guidelines given to determine survey costs and allotted time for the results. In the meantime, the center’s new owner, True North Companies, is free to move forward with development plans.

The new owners want to turn the center into a business complex and originally promised protesters they would preserve the gardens and other aspects of the ground, as well as donate the statues and wood carving to a new cultural center. However, early renderings didn’t seem to reflect those plans. 

Hoping to compromise with advocates, True North donated $100,000 toward the development of a potential new center at the Margaret Hance Park on the north side of downtown Phoenix near the Irish Cultural Center and Japanese Friendship Garden, according to Phoenix Business Journal. However, the group stands firm on wishing to preserve the original location.