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Mayor Announces $2.9 Billion Plan To Revive Communities

By aaroncynic in News on Mar 18, 2013 7:40PM

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced a $2.9 billion plan designed to promote growth and development in several Chicago neighborhoods. With $2.6 billion in private funds and $330 million in public funds from federal, state and local sources including TIF money, the Mayor’s office hopes to encourage “growth and opportunity” in the neighborhoods of Englewood, Pullman, Rogers Park, Uptown, Little Village, Bronzeville and the Eisenhower Corridor.

In a press release, Mayor Emanuel said, “Each of these areas is unique and full of potential and the City will play an important role in supporting their growth. Economic development and a neighborhood’s success are reliant upon the support and strategic vision these ‘Opportunity Area’ plans provide.”

The plan calls for investing in plenty of entertainment and recreation opportunities. Uptown, Bronzeville and the Eisenhower Corridor would have designated entertainment districts. Park and landscape projects are planned for Pullman, Rogers Park and Little Village. In Englewood, vacant land would be used for urban agriculture, manufacturing and housing stabilization. Bronzeville would also see an expansion of hotels for McCormick Place. Walmart and other retailers would get assistance in “establishing new neighborhood markets.” Pullman would be marketed as a cultural attraction, and Uptown and Rogers Park would also see projects to make them more pedestrian-friendly.

While the ambitious plan could stand to assist some neighborhoods in need of revitalization, it seems that once again, the city is able to come up with billions of dollars for opportunities for businesses and developers to generate profit, with smaller gains for actual residents. Utilizing vacant land for urban farming, making streets more pedestrian-friendly and helping local businesses open/sustain certainly would be beneficial to all. We're left wondering, though, why all this money can't help us "afford" to keep the city's schools and mental health clinics open.