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Far South Side Community Development Projects

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Pullman Park 
Type: Project
Location: Between 111th Street and I-94
Year Started: 2011 
Sponsor/Funder: Chicago Neighborhoods Initiative
Project Description: A $350 million investment for a multipurpose shopping/commerce center in Pullman. The main businesses located at Pullman Park include a Walmart with a full service grocery store, a Plant Fitness gym, Advocate Medical primary care facility (treating minor injuries and illnesses), Method-South Side Soap Box (produces soap and home care materials at site), Gotham Greens (agricultural greenhouse that grows fresh, pesticide free produce), and a Whole Foods distribution center.

CTA Red Line Extension to 130th St
Type: Project
Location: 130th Street
Year Started: 2012
Sponsor/Funder: CTA
Project Description: A proposal to extend the CTA red line stop from its terminal location at 95th Street/Dan Ryan to 130th Street. It would include 4 new stops near 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue near 119th Street, and 130th Street. A report from 2012 said that the red line extension would reduce total travel time for Roseland area residents by roughly 20 minutes. The project is still in the planning stage, but as of summer 2020, CTA is finishing up the necessary documents to get federal funding. This is expected to continue throughout fall 2020. 

Riverdale Area Transportation Plan
Type: Report
Location: Riverdale community
Year Released: 2019
Sponsor/Funder: CMAP
Project Description: The study's goal dealt with barriers for walking, biking, and transit access in the Riverdale community. The two highest commuting times in Riverdale are reported to be 30-34 minutes and 60-89 minutes to and from a residents' work place. (Source: https://public.tableau.com/profile/the.greenlink.group#!/vizhome/ChicagosUtilityBurdenFinal/Final) It found that there's challenges for walking and biking in Riverdale. 138th Street is a prime example of streets without a sidewalk. Even in areas where there's low stress level for biking (meaning residents don't feel stressed when biking in a certain location), crime and car crash incidents prevent safe biking. 
Recommended Actions: 
  • Neighborhood greenways: These are roads that are designated to be safe for people to walk and bike on. This can be achieved through traffic circles and speed humps. Shared lane markings are also a way for people to watch out for bike riders. Curb extensions also help increase pedestrian visibility at intersections. The report said that this should be applied to different intersection locations throughout the area.
  • Buffered bike lanes: Painted buffer lane allows bikers to travel freely within a carefully designed space on the road, which is usually next to a parking or travel lane. Bike lanes are designated in the direction of travel. 
  • Sidewalks: Provide space for pedestrians that is safe, comfortable, and accessible to all. Sidewalks should only be used for people to walk on. Constructing sidewalks could also help repair barriers such as sidewalk gaps and repairing broken sidewalks. 

Roseland Community Plan
Type: Report
Location: Roseland Medical District (109th St to the north, 113th St to the south, S. Edbrooke Ave to the east, Halsted Street to the west)
Year Released: 2019
Sponsor/Funder: CMAP, Far South Community Development Corporation (CDC)
Project Description: A report on the area surrounding the Roseland Community Hospital identifying the community's current outlook on transportation issues, housing, community health, and economic development potential. 
Key Findings: 
  • Residents report lower health satisfaction (63.7%) than for the rest of the city (69%). However, 83% of residents reported “receiving needed care” within the past year, which is the same rate as the city. Also, 89% of residents have a primary care physician which is higher than Chicago’s 73% and 87.5% reported getting an annual check-up compared to the city’s 76.5%. Despite these high numbers, it's clear Roseland Hospital is underutilized.
  • Vacant housing units have been a concern for Roseland since the 2008 housing crises and there’s few signs of a turn around. Vacancies are concentrated between South Stewart Ave and South State St. Every block in between those streets have a vacancy rate between 25 and 36%. The report says that the CTA red line extension will be a big boost. The report recommends that multi-family housing units should be considered in the immediate area as well. 
  • Housing values in Roseland are low compared to the rest of the city. Almost all owner-occupied houses in Roseland are valued to be at $200,000 or less. In contrast, 49% of Chicago’s housing stock is valued in this range. The report says that there will not be a significant increase in housing value for the foreseeable future. Despite the low costs, housing is not affordable to Roseland’s residents​
Recommendations: ​
  • Housing: Roseland Hospital should be seen as an anchor for promoting development in the area. Affordable multi-family and senior housing options along 111th street would provide modern housing that reflects the neighborhood’s income and age demographics. 
  • Economic Development: The report said that the economic vitality of the district depends on Roseland Hospital. The 111th Street corridor should be the focal point of any such development. In the long term, the community should use economic development tools such as TIF, Chicago’s Neighborhood Opportunity Funds, and Opportunity Zone investors. In the short term, however, vacant storefronts along 111th street corridor could be used for pop-up healthy food stores or retail stores.
  • Partnerships: One potential partner could be Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois’ Blue Door Neighborhood Center, established one mile east of the hospital on 111th street in neighboring Pullman community. Other partnerships could be made with Olive-Harvey College and Chicago State University. Both could provide relevant training for new members of the community’s workforce. For example, Olive-Harvey, which gives courses in business and communications, could give training, resources, and information on entrepreneurial activities within the community.
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West Pullman Affordable Housing:  
Type: Project
Location: Former West Pullman Elementary School (11941 S. Parnell Ave.)
Year Started: 2018
Sponsor/Funder: Celadon Holdings (Developer) and A Safe Haven Foundation 
Project Description: A $15 million project to convert the historic building into an affordable housing apartment containing 60 units for senior citizens and veterans. It's unclear when the project will be completed. 

95th Street Metra Stop Rehabilitation:
Type: Project
Location: 95th Street and Cottage Grove
Year Started: 2019
Sponsor/Funder: Chicago State University and Metra 
Project Description: The plan includes a new platform and entrance which will include a staircase, elevator, and at least one heater for the winter. The new station will include a minimum of 119 parking spaces that'll be located on Chicago State's campus.

119th Street Corridor Plan:
Type: Report
Location: 
Year Released: 2019
Sponsor/Funder: CMAP, Far South Community Development Corporation (CDC)
Report Description: The report's purpose was to help revitalize the area. The vision is to attract jobs, industry, and resources to create a vital economic corridor in the far south side.
Recommendations:
  • Economic Development: 
    • ​Attract industrial development to 200,000 square feet between Racine and Peoria Avenue. TIF funds would most likely be needed to support the property's environmental clean up.
    • Develop 3 to 4 restaurants to 119th Street. The Kroc Center attracts a lot of people to the corridor every year but besides the center there're few other entertainment options. One option could bean urban agriculture program that supports jobs and healthy food. 
    • Supporting current business owners in the area. There are several small businesses along 119th street that need support. There are several resources that can be used to support local businesses including:
      • ​Far South Community Development Corporation: Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC)
      • Roseland Chamber of Commerce: Business Development Workshop, Workforce Development/Job Readiness
    • Create a new urban farm between Peoria and Aberdeen. It could be placed next to the Major Taylor Trail and bring in farmers from the Roseland Pullman Community Garden as well as people from the south suburbs and Kankakee. 
  • Job Training:
    • ​The Roseland Chamber of Commerce and local community development organizations should partner with educational groups nearby including:
      • Manufacturing skills with Daley College and Jane Addams Resource Corporation 
      • Culinary skills with Washburn Culinary and Hospitality Institute at Kennedy King College
      • Urban agriculture training with Greater Roseland West Pullman Food Network
    • There should be an expansion of GED programming for adults at the Kroc Center. Access to GED training was considered one of the ​most important needs for local youth and adults by a survey released in the report. Day care options should also be considered at the Kroc Center to help with adults receiving training. 

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MISSION

​PCR mission is to enhance the quality of life of residents living in communities affected by environmental pollution.  PCR  educate and advocates policy and programs in an effort to coordinate local residents on issues of the environment, health, housing, education, training, neighborhood safety and economic equity

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CHICAGO, IL 60827
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People for Community Recovery is sponsored by Woods Fund of Chicago and Crossroads Fund.