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Looking
to strengthen Riverdale’s stock of affordable housing within a broad and
ambitious redevelopment plan that includes TIF districts and industrial
redevelopment, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Chicago and Campaign for Sensible
Growth will convene a two-day technical assistance panel (TAP) on Aug. 20 and
21, 2003 at the Riverdale Village Hall.
The
panel
will bring together real estate, planning and development experts
to provide unbiased, pragmatic advice on the Village of Riverdale’s efforts to
identify development options for the Pacesetter neighborhood, and
is intended to help the Village develop a housing plan that includes the
revitalization of the community.
“TAPs are a rare and valuable opportunity for municipalities and
neighborhoods to access the insight and advice of a broad range of community
development professionals,” says Charles Hill, panel chair and former executive
vice president of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
Rux Currin, chair of ULI Chicago,
adds “
our experts connect housing, transportation and community
livability solutions.
Their
recommendations form the base of a customized action plan for the
community.”
Riverdale’s case presents
a unique
opportunity.
For the first time, the panel will continue to work with the community
for one year in order to monitor progress and guide implementation. The Village
will also convene a blue ribbon committee that includes U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson,
Jr. (D-Ill.) to help identify and secure federal resources to assist in the
project. Key to the success of the project will be interviews with Riverdale
residents, business leaders and community leaders.
According to Riverdale Mayor Zenovia
Evans, “achieving quality housing options for all of our residents is extremely
important for the health of our Village.”
The
Campaign
and ULI have partnered on TAPs throughout the region for the past three years
in diverse communities — including Park Forest earlier this summer, and
Richmond, Hanover Park and Highland Park. A panel of experts in fields ranging
from transportation and land use to law and finance is convened in each
community to take a close and educated look at the situation.
Based on interviews with residents and
public officials, and on-site investigations, the panels present recommendations
in a public session at the end of the second day.
Riverdale
Village Board officials have presented specific questions to the TAP.
They include what role the Village
should play in the redevelopment effort, how to identify and secure financial
resources, what social services will be needed to address the needs of residents
of Pacesetter, and how can redevelopment enhance the stability of the local
school district.
The
Urban Land Institute is a national, nonprofit education and research institute
that is supported by its members.
Its mission is to provide responsible leadership in the use of land in
order to enhance the total environment. ULI Chicago consists of more than 800
ULI members living and working in the Chicago region. One of the first ULI
District Councils formed, today it is one of the largest in the
nation.
The
Campaign for Sensible Growth is an action-oriented coalition of nearly 200
government, civic and business leaders in northeastern Illinois' six counties
(Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will) working to promote economic
development while preserving open space, minimizing the need for costly new
infrastructure and improving the livability of our communities.
—————————————————————————
WHAT:
Technical Assistance Panel in Riverdale
WHEN:
Media
availability can be arranged on Aug. 20. Members of the working media are
invited to the final presentation to the community at 3:00 p.m. on August 21,
2003
WHERE: Riverdale Village Hall, 157
West
144 th Street
WHO:
ULI
Chicago/Campaign for Sensible Growth