Danchen Xu has been appointed Chinatown, Downtown and Leather District neighborhood liaison within the Mayor’s Civic Engagement cabinet. In this role, Xu will work as an advocate to the Chinatown, Downtown and Leather District Neighborhoods.
“I’m very excited to have Danchen join the Office of Neighborhood Services,” said Mayor Martin Walsh. “The Chinatown, Downtown and Leather District neighborhoods are special and unique places in the city of Boston and I know that Danchen will continue providing excellent city services and maintaining those neighborhoods as wonderful places to work, live and play.”
As the Chinatown, Downtown and Leather District Liaison, Xu will serve as the primary contact for constituents and businesses looking to connect with the Mayor’s Office, and will facilitate the delivery of services in collaboration with city departments.
“I am very honored to be named the liaison for these neighborhoods,” said Xu. “Both myself and Mayor Walsh understand how special our neighborhoods are in Boston, and I am excited to work hard for both the residents and businesses. I appreciate the Mayor’s dedication to the neighborhoods and his plans for maintaining their uniqueness.”
Xu, a native Mandarin and Cantonese speaker, was born and raised in Zhengzhou, China. She has worked in China and Switzerland on matters involving social justice and sustainable development. Prior to becoming a neighborhood liaison, Xu served in Boston’s Office of Fair Housing and Equity under Mayor Walsh, where she helped to standardize the city’s housing lottery application and to expand access to affordable housing opportunities.
The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS) encourages, facilitates and maximizes citizen input and participation through service requests, neighborhood meetings, mailings and emergency responses. To report non-emergency issues to the City, residents are encouraged to connect with BOS:311 by dialing 3-1-1 or by downloading the free BOS:311 app on iOS or Android platforms.