Community members invited to help plan retail, transportation access on city's Mid-South Side

• February 14, 2008

(Chicago) … Edward Griffin, a lifelong resident of Chicago’s mid-South Side, doesn’t have a car – but he does have asthma. Running weekly errands, such as buying groceries or mailing bills at the post office, can be a challenge for 59-year-old Griffin, who remembers a time when there were more places to shop and more transit serving Bronzeville. Like many new and old residents of redeveloping Chicago communities, Griffin wishes it was easier to do the things he needs to do in his neighborhood.

Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th Ward), in partnership with the Quad Communities Development Corporation, and the new community development initiative Reconnecting Neighborhoods, invites community members to a series of local meetings on Feb. 20, 27 and March 5, to:

• Voice their opinions about how to make their neighborhood more convenient and vibrant.
• Plan improvements that will increase access to transportation, shopping and jobs.
• Learn more about transportation and retail amenities in Grand Boulevard, North Kenwood, Douglas, and Oakland neighborhoods.

These gatherings are the first community meetings for Reconnecting Neighborhoods, a project that invites residents of three Chicago neighborhoods to participate in the planning for the future of their communities. The project will result in recommendations for enhanced transit services, retail, and improved public infrastructure in the Near North, Near West and Mid-South neighborhoods. The project is being led by the City of Chicago Dept. of Planning and Development (DPD), with support from the Regional Transportation Authority and Metropolitan Planning Council. HNTB, a planning firm, is handling the project’s technical work and research.

For more information, visit the Reconnecting Neighborhoods Web site. And check next week for a revamped Web site offering more details about this initiative.

What:
Three meetings inviting residents to participate in Reconnecting Neighborhoods

Who:
Ald. Toni Preckwinkle, 4th Ward
Bernita Johnson-Gabriel, Executive Director, Quad Communities Development Corporation
Brandon Johnson, Manager of Reconnecting Neighborhoods, Metropolitan Planning Council

When & Where:

• Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., King Community Center , 4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago

• Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., West Point Baptist Church, 3572 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago

• Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Kennicott Park , 4434 S. Lake Park Ave., Chicago

These meetings are public and open to everyone. RSVP on the Reconnecting Neighborhoods Web site , by e-mailing info@reconnectingneighborhoods.org , or by calling Brandon Johnson at (312) 863-6046.

Reporter inquiries should be directed to Mandy Burrell Booth, at mburrell@metroplanning.org or (312) 863-6018.

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