[remote] Community Development Commission

Here is the agenda for the meeting https://t.co/yAcv7NQanx

https://t.co/yK7qOjzRAh

Those who are present at the meeting are Chairwoman Gwendolyn Hatten Butler, vice Chair Christopher Wheat, Dwight Curtis, and Latasha Thomas

Tim Jefferies is speaking on the state tiff district of ward 26, 28, 31, 36, and 37. He would like boundaries of this tiff district to expand the district by 32.6 acres of property which would be 6 chicago blocks and to improve infrastructure which is deteriorating.

Jeffries explains that 12 years in the expansion, it is estimated that the tiff district will generate 350 million which will be reinstated into the community for environmental remidation and affordable housing

There are no further questions or comments from the public.

Additional members of the committee are present who I didn’t hear during role call. They are commissioner Maurice cox, Jacqueline gomez, and secretary Grace Chan McKibben

The motion brought up by Tim jefferies has been passed with everyone voting for the motion to pass except for secretary Grace Chan McKibben who chose to abstain

Ann booth is now speaking to explain Parkside phase III which will redevelop ward 27 which was the sight of thr Cabrini green high rises. All of the current housing on the site is uninhabited and owned by the CHA

Parkside Associates LLC is the master developer for the extension. They will also be a 99% shareholder of the new townhouses and apartments that are being requested to be built.

The Cabrini green lac community is a non for profit org who has worked with real estate development firms, helped residents with job training, and employment opportunities.

9% low income housing tax credits which amounts to 17 million, and residents will be gaining construction job opporturtunities.

Aldermen walter brunette explains ” this community is the only development in th3 city of Chicago with CHA residents are part owners in the community, on the near north side.”

Alderman brunette explains that there has been no violence that comes from these new developments and violence has only come from old developments.

Curtis asks who will the units be prioritized in terms of who gets ownership of the unit.

Irene Burke explains that they went to a 3rd party market study to give a sense of what the development can support.

Gomez asks if the people can sell their property and how does that work?

Ann booth says it’s all rental and it will be a mix, and it will be for 60% of the affordable rental area and 50 % of area median income.

Ann booth explains that this phase of the project is only rental and within that phase there will be other phases and have been other phases for home owner ship.

When brought to a vote, all the commissioners in attendance voted yes to allow the department of housing to have authority to renegotiate thr development agreement for the areas mentioned in the agenda.

Ernest Bellamy is speaking to negotiate a sale with the community builders INC. They plan on building a community fitness and wellness center on the locations of 4301, 4309, and 4329 w Madison street.

Alderman Jason Ervin supports the motion.

Thomas would like to know what the existing building next door to the proposed wellness center would be. Camino Brooks mentions it is currently being occupied by a tire sales person

Commissioner Curtis asks what the rooms are around the building brooks from community builders says they are for YMCA and for rush university.

Derek Johnson, assistant commissioner of the DPD explains that currently there are no plans to come back to ask for TIFF. But explained the city will be co tributing 5.9 million to funding the source in other ways.

When brought to a vote, all commissioners in presence voted yes for the motion to pass through unless a better idea was mentioned.

Meg Gustafson is now speaking to expand the area of park ronan in the Lawrence and kedzi area

Gustafson explained that it is currently being leaced for global gardens and once the property is transferred to the park district, the garden will remain

Commissioner Curtis asks if the land is prone to flooding. Gustafson doesn’t know at the moment and will get back to him.

Commissioner cox asks if tif is currently commissioning the project. Gustafson explanes that it is already being funded to this project.

Alderwoman Rodriquez approves of thus proposal

When brought to a vote, all present commissioners voted yes to pass the motion.

Meg Gustafson is now speaking about thr redevelopment project for 47th and king drive. The project is to sell the land back to the city. It is currently a park and Gustafson explains there are a lot of parks in the area and it is not successful.

McKibben asks why Gustafson feels the park iunsuccessful. Gustafson explains that it may be because it’s a legacy pocket park during the urban renewal days and the neighborhood has a hard time maintaining the small parks which also allow for crime.

Gomez asks what they would do with it. Gustafson says it would just be up for redevelopment

When brought to a vote, all commissioners in attendance voted yes to the motion.

Taylor Thomas is now speaking to request the authority for the sale ofHyde park self storage Inc to be turned into parking lots, employee picnic areas, an electric car charging station, and landscaping areas.

Alderwoman Dowell approves of this request

Cox explains that they went back and forth with the developer and says it’s nice that their discussions were implemented in the design.

When brought to a vote, all commissioners present voted yes to pass the vote.

At 2:22 p.m. chairwoman hatten-butler adjourned the meeting, and the commissioners seemed relieved and broke out into post meeting chatter. Some spoke about how they actually had to get ready and spend time navigating the hallways which they didn’t realize they would have to do.