Re-Connection - August 2010

August 2010

www.metroplanning.org

On Oct. 13, 2010, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is expected to approve GO TO 2040, its first comprehensive plan for the future of northeastern Illinois. Three years in the making, GO TO 2040 outlines policy and investment strategies in 12 issue areas that are fundamental to the region’s ongoing prosperity. Among the areas of particular interest to MPC: Achieve Greater Livability through Land Use and Housing, Invest Strategically in Transportation, and Pursue Coordinated Investments.

Where We Stand

MPC has been a staunch advocate of CMAP since it was established in 2005 – and a proponent of regional coordination for decades. As a partner and ally, MPC has participated in the GO TO 2040 process, which included extensive research and public outreach. Over the last several weeks, MPC staff and volunteers have reviewed the draft, provided context from our on-the-ground work, and recommended to CMAP additional policy and implementation goals.

MPC fully supports GO TO 2040’s capital project prioritization, which sends an important signal that regional investments must be tied to tangible goals set forth by the people of northeastern Illinois. GO TO 2040 is a road map for more goal-driven, right-sized, and coordinated public investments that can leverage the private sector and help the region emerge stronger and wiser from this fiscal mess.

MPC encourages bold action by CMAP and its many partners, who are key to GO TO 2040’s implementation. We are already teaming up with CMAP and the Regional Development Authority in northwest Indiana on ripe implementation opportunities. We will put our energies into ensuring incentives are changed to reward communities that grow in ways that advance these plans.

Read this article by MPC Director Joanna Trotter, summarizing MPC’s comments on CMAP’s draft GO TO 2040 plan >>

Visit CMAP’s GO TO 2040 web site >>

Do you believe the region needs more coordinated, right-sized, goal-oriented investments to strengthen our economy? Donate today to support our work and a vibrant region. >>

Project Progress Report

Since late 2008, MPC has been partnering with the West Cook County Housing Collaborative, six communities working together to address shared housing challenges. In July, the Collaborative hosted 60 attendees in Forest Park for a discussion of employer-assisted housing (EAH) and other ways to engage local employers through the Charter One Workforce Housing Initiative.

(from left) Marz Timms of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center, Forest Park Mayor Anthony Calderone, MPC President MarySue Barrett, Scott C. Swanson, President of Charter One Illinois, and Oak Park President David Pope

At the event, municipal leaders and their partners, including MPC, briefed 25 area employers on EAH, as well as their efforts to address foreclosed and abandoned properties through the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). Even as Illinois’ foreclosure activity jumped 33 percent in July, the Collaborative towns – Bellwood, Berwyn, Broadview, Forest Park, Maywood and Oak Park –have obligated more than 90 percent of their $3 million shared NSP award from Cook County, primarily to a 22-unit rental project in Maywood. Berwyn received an additional $4 million in NSP funds from the State of Illinois to rehab single-family homes. By partnering with the Charter One Workforce Housing Initiative, the Collaborative is attracting local employers to provide assistance to help their workers rent or purchase these newly available homes.

The like-minded Chicago Southland Housing and Community Development Collaborative, which includes 26 communities in the southern suburbs, also has made great progress. At a similar employer convening in April, CVS announced plans to start an EAH program for workers in four suburban community clusters and the Mid-South Side of Chicago. Both the south and west Cook Collaboratives are pursuing new HUD Community Challenge Planning Grants and recently renewed their funding from The Chicago Community Trust to support ongoing coordinated planning. These success stories are inspiring communities across the region to pursue cross-border efforts.

Read about the recent work of the Charter One Workforce Housing Initiative >>

Learn more about MPC’s Interjurisdictional Collaborations in metropolitan Chicago >>

Principles of Placemaking

What’s Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana’s favorite hidden public place? Is it a community garden, a neighborhood coffee shop, or an overlooked plaza? To find the undiscovered places that make our region great, MPC and Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) called on people to submit a photo or video and written description of their favorite hidden public place to the “What Makes Your Place Great? Your Secret Corner of Chicagoland” contest.

Now it’s up to you to decide which space is the best. Through Sept. 10, 2010, vote online at PlacemakingChicago.com for your favorite of two dozen finalists in the “What Makes Your Place Great? Your Secret Corner of Chicagoland” photo and video contest.

One winner will be chosen through online voting. Three additional winners will be selected by a panel of Placemaking experts. All four winners will be announced Friday, Sept. 17, and may be featured in an exclusive CAF tour this fall.

Vote for your favorite place today >>

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Senate Banking Committee to mark up Livable Communities Act

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Nurturing innovation in metro Chicago

The future of urban transit

Bike commuting in Chicago

Chicago Tribune poll confirms regional demand for transit

Upcoming events

Sep 14	What Will Your Station Look Like? Help create a vision for the proposed CTA Red Line Extension train stations 5:45 PM–8:15 PM
Oct 12	Bring Workers Home: Honolulu Forum 8:30 AM–5:00 PM

More events »