Community leaders on Joliet's East Side have established a new organization, Unity Community Development Corporation, to guide the implementation of the Joliet Quality of Life Plan developed by MPC and partners.
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Disinvestment of manufacturing
and commercial businesses and lack of new housing opportunities have hurt many
of the neighborhoods that make up Joliet’s 4th and 5th districts, an area that comprises much of the
city’s historic property. In November 2007, the Joliet City Council adopted the Joliet Quality of Life
Plan, which was crafted to
address the community's challenges.
Informed by the input of more than 900
local residents and stakeholders, the plan takes an integrated approach to quality
of life improvements in regard to housing, recreation, transportation,
retail and industrial development, employment, public infrastructure, land
use, education, human capital (including health care), crime prevention, and the
needs of youth and the elderly.
MPC worked with the Center for Neighborhood
Technology, Teska Associates, and Partec Consulting Group to create the plan,
which identified development
of Unity CDC as
a principle recommendation to
respond to the need for a proactive and equal partnership between the city
and community in implementing needed improvements. The CDC will oversee and
coordinate projects though neighborhood councils, and secure funding for the
implementation of other Joliet Quality of Life Plan recommendations.
