I went to the meeting at Hyde Park HS concerning the conveyance of park land to the City so the Obama Foundation can negotiate with the City as opposed to the Park District for land upon which to build the Presidential Library. There were over 1,000 people, possibly as many as 1,200 people in attendance. There were quite a few people from various organizations testifying in favor of the project. I didnt notice too many rank and file residents or block clubs or very grassroots organizations weighing in in favor of taking park land for the OPL. Most people testified in support of the OPL coming to Chicago. Friends of the Parks and other conservationists testified against using park land for the property and suggested that U of C use land they already own and bank, or find an alternative site that doesnt require park land. There were quite a few people from the West Side, and I was proud to see them. I recall at least 5 of us providing testimony, including Commissioner Chuy Garcia, Dock Walls, Alderman Fioretti, Dwayne Truss and myself. Commissioner Garcia and Alderman Fioretti supported the OPL in Chicago and respect the Obamas right to select the site. They were against using park land for the OPL. Dock Walls indicated that it didnt matter if the land was used for the OPL or the park, it would still be public. Dwayne Truss reminded the audience that the UIC-North Lawndale bid was still in play, and that there should be hearings on the West Side concerning the UIC bid. I reiterated my support for the OPL coming to Chicago and reminded the panel that Mayor Rahm Emanuel committed to supporting both the UIC and U of C. Given that the UIC bid relies upon city-owned land in North Lawndale, the Mayor needs to have public hearings on the West Side to discuss the pros and cons of that proposal as well as the proposed conveyance of the land to the Obama Foundation. This would put the UIC bid on equal footing with the U of C bid in terms of site control. I reminded the audience that we are one of the poorest communities in the city, and although every inch of the community is in a TIF, we have not seen coordinated development in over 60 years. We are in the process of organizing a press conference within the next couple days to express our support for the UIC bid. Let me know if youre interested in attending. Everyone is welcome, particularly those from North Lawndale, East Garfield, West Garfield, Austin, Little Village, Pilsen, Near West Side and Humboldt Park. This is a grassroots effort, and the University is not involved. If you and your organization are willing to participate, please indicate below.
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 06:14:18 +0000
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