"Under the housing creation component of linkage policy, linkage fees have to be used on an existing project that needs help," she tells GlobeSt.com. Baumann emphasizes that no formal linkage fees have been settled yet, but linkage funds can support housing anywhere in the city. "The housing project in Chinatown would not only be available to residents of Chinatown, but would be available to the whole city," she points out.

New York-based Rose Associates reportedly pledged linkage funds from its Leather District building to Chinatown a number of months ago. Those opposed to the project reportedly claim that the company pledged the fees to win support for its beleaguered project. The building currently faces a lawsuit that challenges the reduced tax status of the site as a blighted area.