The Vietnamese Chinese who fled Vietnam significantly altered a part of Washington Street previously untenable for development. They were the only group willing to risk launching businesses near the dangerous, mob-run “Combat Zone”. They brought new vitality to the area, paving the way for subsequent redevelopment, contrary to the popular belief that credits city policies with the transformation. Ironically, the massive City-sanctioned gentrification of Washington Street threatens to push out Vietnamese Chinese businesses and wipe away all traces of their important contributions to the area. This piece focuses on the more spontaneous and largely unheralded form of urban development.