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SAFETY ISSUES BEING ADDRRESSED
ALONG COMMERCIAL AND COMMUNITY AREA
An array of resources are being poured into the business district and the community be several resources. All are meant to reduce the amount of violence and crime within the area that has been a major force to be reckoned with. There is a private armed security patrol that is paid for by the business and property owners along Commercial in the Special Service Area #5 District. They patrol the streets and monitor hot spots daily in critical hours. They work closely with the police department and local school security personnel in this process. A new proposal is being considered that would bring some street intervention resources back to this community that were cut due to funding years ago. A safe passage initiative is underway that would try to address the safety and security issues on the routes that students from local schools must take to and from school each day so as they can feel safe and secure. There are currently several off duty but uniformed officers manning hot spots at these routes during departure times. There is also an effort underway to develop key Safe Haven locations where students can go when there is imminent danger. They generally include stores, churches and public institutions. The gang war and skirmishes have really taken a toll on the community and city. Calls for the National Guard are now being echoed. A major push by Mayor Daley for weapon restrictions are being considered in Springfield. No end to the lobbying for after school program funds to the bankrupt state and private sources that are stretched beyond their limits due to increased need and reduced funding. A positive sign of the times is surfacing. New block clubs are sprouting up everywhere. People are tired of being prisoners in their own homes and having to lock their kids in the house due to danger and fear for safety. It’s time for decent law abiding citizens to take back their own community and they are attempting to do so Call your CAPS Office and learn the date and time and location of your beat meeting so you can take an active role in your community. They welcome your participation! 1-312-747-7573
COMMERCIAL AVENUE…. A TARGET FOR ACTION
The Planning and Development Committee of the South Chicago Chamber along with the Commercial Avenue T.I.F. Advisory Committee have been visioning and planning for the day in which they and others “roll up their sleeves and begin the work of ‘revamping “the business strip”. There have been focus groups that identified the kinds of uses and businesses that are desired within the once vibrant business district that has seen the departure of many long established businesses. They have been replaced with an array of small mom and pop family owned retailers that do not necessarily offer the variety and quality of products that the community needs and desires. Long gone are the days of Goldblatts, Woolworths, Gassman’s Lester’s, Gayety’s , etc. The district now has retailers such as City Sports, Subway, an array of clothing stores geared at young people. The hold outs are Steel City Furniture, Little Giant Jewelers, Davis Bros Shoes and a few more. To date, there have been tours of various community shopping districts from around the city that are currently undergoing a transformation process. While the malls continue to be a major destination for shoppers, community shopping districts still continue to fill a critical need for residents. The products being offered are often not available at the malls. Most especially the mom and pop ethnic kinds of shops prevalent along Commercial. There have been numerous tours with developers and retailers that have identified South Chicago as a possible site for expansion or business start up. The touting of the many resources and opportunities available have solidified their interests even more. They include a T.I.F., Special Service Area and numerous funding sources for business start up and retention. Almost $850,000 has already been spent to upgrade the retail buildings thru such programs. A new round of money is also moving forward under the T.I.F. Small Business Improvement Fund. The Commercial Ave shopping district has been designated as a Pedestrian Shopping District. This kicks in many specific requirements for design and zoning. It is one of less than 2 dozen in the city with this designation. The street car Milly, that brings about 1,800 residents to Commercial from the surrounding areas has gone a long way in making community shopping more appealing to both residents and non residents alike. In addition, the S.S.A has conducted shoppers rebates and promotions that also attracted shoppers looking for a bargain and savings. The next actions of the combined committee’s will include various informational sessions for both the business and property owners to learn more about the resources available to them at the three levels of government and private resources. A business start up series has also been set to begin in March that will assist entrepreneurs or business owners interested in expanding. The entire issue of business retention and attraction has become a number l priority at each level of government. Having a vibrant and successful business district is a win-win situation for not only the country, but the state, city and community as well. It creates jobs, keeps valuable dollars from consumers in the community (leakage rate of shopper’s dollars are tremendously high in most categories).The infill retail re-development effort’s to the many vacant lots and stores that can be observed along Commercial will hopefully find a new life to a strong and viable South Chicago area.
FUNDING FOR PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS PROMOTED TO OWNERS
BY CHAMBER AND CITY
The South Chicago Chamber and Somercor Inc. sponsored an informational session for local business and property owners in South Chicago and our neighboring East Side. There were 23 in attendance. The Tax Increment Financing (T.I.F.) Small Business Improvement Fund as well as the city Façade Rebate Program were both highlighted. Thousands of dollars in grants are available to qualifying business or property owners for exterior or interior improvements. The Chamber encouraged the attendees to also consider ‘green’ and earth friendly improvements while undertaking rehab and expansion projects. The programs are a match-based grant for up to 75% of the approved costs. Also in attendance were representatives of both Park National Bank (US Bank) and Royal Bank that indicated an interest in possibly advancing the cost of the improvements until reimbursement is made. In the past several years there has been well over $500,000.000 in improvement funds made available and spent for Commercial Ave. stores and buildings. The funds came from SSA Facade, Chicago Facade Improvement Program and TIF/SBIF.
