Today's agenda also includes the Chicago Department of Housing's intentions to enter negotiated sale and redevelopment agreements with private groups for land in the 16th, 24th, 27th & 28th wards.

Link to meeting: livestream.com/accounts/28669…

More information about the redevelopment the Micheal Reese from @wttw: news.wttw.com/2021/04/06/tea….

The meeting started at 1:06PM, about 31 people are in attendance. Meeting minutes from April 20, 2021 were approved.

No written comment. There are 9 public commentors regarding the Bronzeville Redevelopment Project Area (Ward 4).

First up the 9 public commentors about the Bronzeville Redevelopment Project Area:
- Marie Reynolds, a 4th Ward resident since 2003, "As a community member, I'm wondering what's been taking so long...it's been over 10 years"

-Akeem Anderson is excited about the redevelopment, esp as a homeowner
-David Rudd supports the Bronzeville Lakefront Plan, esp as a small business owner to support minority & women business owners
-David Winters supports the GRIT team's goal to incorporate the community input

All remaining 5 public speakers all support the Bronzeville Redevelopment Project.
One speaker emphasized, "we need to keep Bronzeville, bronze" to support the neighborhood's residents to grow and build generational wealth & another said, "We deserve to be a part of this growth"

Terrance Johnson from @ChicagoDPD is presenting with the GRIT team.

Up to this point, GRIT has participated in multiple community meetings since 2016. This redevelopment will take up to 10-20 years to fully complete.

DPD recommends the commission to approve the land sale. https://t.co/XCzkuIdcvh

Ald Sophia King (47th Ward) voiced support of the Bronzeville Lakefront Project.

Floor opens for questions--
Commissioner Leslie Davis asked: What conversations on infrastructure are happening?
Ald King: We've talked about widening bike lanes&sidewalks for increased traffic

Secretary Gwendolyn Butler: Could GRIT or DPD talk about the phasing of the development?
Scott Goodman, from GRIT: Hopeful to get city approval sometime this summer & "dig up dirt". Hopeful to open the first building by 2023-early 2024. The senior residence planned to open 2024

Goodman: A portion of affordable housing is planned to open in 2025. Intended to build affordable housing (both senior housing & non-senior housing) and market rate housing at the same time.

Ald King: It's been taking a considerable amount of time bc of continued community input, "the community has been asking the same type of questions."

Commissioner Latesha Thomas asked on infrastructure: Will the infrastructure be first? What is the timing?

David Doig, GRIT: Planning to do it first, hopeful for later Fall 2021, starting on 31st Street and working towards the north part of the site

Commissioner Adela Cepeda: Is there any Latino participation in this development?
Scott Goodman, GRIT: There absolutely will be, "there isn't anyone of Hispanic heritage" on the team right now on the ownership structure
Ciere Boatright: We have been intentional, to exceed the %

*Ciera Boatright.
Cepeda: "We should have that right up front...I would be saying this too if there weren't any African-Americans on this"
Butler: The point is the ownership doesn't reflect the demographics of Chicago
Goodman: These are general partners, and looking to open up

Commissioner Jorge Perez: "I agree with Commissioner Cepeda...this is a teachable moment [to be equitable at the start]...you've had 4 years to plan this...if you don't have equity or diversity you don't have real inclusion, especially as Hispanics are the growing demographics"

DPD Commissioner Maurice Cox: "The CDC is starting to become my favorite commission to sit on...why not break further ground on diversity, equity & inclusion..."
Goodman: "I know it doesn't matter what I say now, but what you'll see 2-3 years from now...it's a priority of ours"

Goodman: "Remember this conversation, and we will continue this"
Perez: "Remember: without diversity & equity, there's no inclusion"
Commissioner Michael Scott Jr: very supportive of Ald King & knows she will follow-up on diversity concerns with communities of color

Commissioner Jorge Perez called to vote on negotiated sale with GRIT. The motion passed and is carried, with Commissioner Cepeda voting "no."

Next -- the Department of Housing (DOH) requesting intention to enter a City Lots for Working Families sale & redevelopment with GMP Development, LLC in the 24th Ward. The developments will be 2-3 bedroom homes. After receiving City approval, the construction will start Fall 2021 https://t.co/4qiWLLsJZA

Ald Michael Scott, Jr: "We're trying to jumpstart affordable housing for residents"
Ald Walter Burnett: supports Ald Scott, and wants to do the same thing, "it's unfortunate that affordable housing is market rate for these neighborhoods"

Commissioner Butler: Will this serve as the nucleus and to continue similar developments across the ward?
Ald Scott, Jr: There is a 2nd & 3rd phase of this with other partners and developers in the ward. They will be back to present this soon

Ald Scott, Jr: "I believe if you build it, people will come [to the neighborhood]"

Commissioner Perez pushed for vote. The motion was approved and passed.

Next item -- the DOH intention to enter the City Lots for Working Families redevelopment agreement with Nath Construction in the 27th and 28th Ward, primarily focused on single-family & 2-unit homes. They hope to start construction in the Fal of 2021 https://t.co/A67gQlIie5

Commissioner Perez pushed for a motion to vote. The redevelopment agreement was approved.

Final item -- DOH requesting authority to enter a negotiated sale with Keith B Key Enterprises, LLC in the Englewood Redevelopment Area in the 16th Ward. This is along 61st & Halsted Street

This will be 5 stories tall with 56 units & commercial spaces

Some of the images of the rendering: https://t.co/IiARrUoFnx

Commissioner Butler: How has this developer done projects like this before? Did they have a similar capital stack?
Tisha Germany, KBK Enterprises: Has done similar sized projects in Pennslyvania, Louisiana, Ohio. Some with affordable housing and some with all market housing

Butler: Why Chicago? What brought you here?
Germany: We're very interested, esp as a minority-developer, to help communities who look like us. Been interested to work in Chicago for the last 15 years
Butler: How many elevators will there be?
Germany: I think 2 now

Commissioner Thomas: Is the residential entrance on Halsted or 61st Street?
Germany: The residential entrance is on Halsted facing residential opening, the commercial entrance is on the opposite corner by Halsted/Halsted Parkway

Commissioner Newsome: Are there any parking spaces for the commercial/retail tenants?
Commissioner Cox: At this time, uncertain if this is appropriate for retail, and is now labeled as "community space" -- There is a question of how much retail this community can absorb

Cox (continued): Uncertain at this time if parking is needed to be designated for this space.

Commissioner Perez motioned for a vote. The vote passes.

Meeting adjourned at 3:39PM. This concludes the Community Development Commission meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for June 8, 2021

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