Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Human and Community Development Committee met Oct. 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Committee Members Present: Sheri Cohen, Jackie Forbes, Joan Fox, Kendra Freeman, Hanna Kite, Tiffany McDowell, Greg Polman*, Olatunji Oboi Reed, Raj Shah, Darnell Shields, Dominic Tocci, William Towns
(*indicates via phone)
Others Present: Alicia Bunton, Julio Rodriguez, Alicia Plomin-Spitler, Shavion Scott, Todd Wyatt
Staff Present: Jonathan Burch, Heidy Persaud, Elizabeth Schuh, Elizabeth Scott, Aseal Tineh
1.0 Call to Order
Sheri Cohen, committee co-chair, called the meeting to order.
2.0 Agenda Changes and Announcements
CMAP staff liaison, Aseal Tineh, announced a change to the agenda. The demographics and development work plan presentation was removed from the initial agenda to allow more time for discussion.
3.0 Approval of Minutes – August 6, 2019
A motion to approve the minutes of the August 6, 2019 meeting was made, seconded, and carried.
4.0 Austin Coming Together
Committee member Darnell Shields, Executive Direct at Austin Coming Together, provided an introduction to Austin Coming Together and to the Austin Community Area. He provided demographic information as well as an overview of ACT’s mission and vision. Darnell also introduced ACT’s Theory of Change, Austin’s Quality of Life Plan, and ACT’s QLP Funding Paths. Due to time constraints, committee members were asked to save their questions and comments until the end of agenda item 6.0.
5.0 Central Avenue Corridor Plan (Austin)
CMAP staff Jonathan Burch and ACT staff Shavion Scott shared information on the ongoing Local Technical Assistance project tin Austin: the Central Avenue Corridor Plan. The Plan is a direct result of the Austin Quality of Life Plan that was introduced to committee members in agenda item 4.0. The Central Avenue Corridor Plan focuses on improving economic development in key commercial corridors, preserving and investing in vacant buildings and housing, developing a community narrative, and improving public safety and public places. Due to time constraints, committee members were asked to save their questions and comments until the end of agenda item 6.0.
6.0 Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation Project
Darnell Shields introduced the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation project which aims to transform Emmet School and the intersection of Madison and Central into a focal point and community hub. Emmet School is a focal project in Austin’s Quality of Life Plan. Focus projects are physical development projects that have great potential to accelerate the achievement of multiple actions in the Quality of Life Plan. Following the presentation, committee members had a discussion on how the plans can best be leveraged to connect people to living wage jobs. Members also discussed how Chicago can play a supporting role, as well as how communities can work together to support each other’s growth.
7.0 Avenues for Growth Plan (Belmont Cragin Commercial Corridors Plan)
Jose Rodriguez presented the Avenues for Growth Plan, which is an ongoing Local Technical Assistance project in Belmont Cragin. The plan identifies strategies along major corridors, Diversey Avenue, Fullerton Avenue and Grand Avenue to: create local jobs, support small and locally-owned businesses, provide affordable housing options, improve public transportation, and increase access to public gathering places. The Plan explicitly pursues “development without displacement,” and is community driven. Following the presentation, committee members discussed how barriers to success in CMAP’s LTA program. Members encouraged CMAP to be more intentional, particularly in engaging stakeholders across jurisdictional borders, and in taking a leadership role in creating room for discussion on important issues that may at times create tension or conflict. Members also engaged in a conversation on gentrification, and the need to consider how to share information with and educate residents, such as with communicating to residents how new developments benefit them.
8.0 Public Comment
There were no public comments.
9.0 Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on December 10th 2019 at 10am.
10.0 Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
https://www.cmap.illinois.gov/documents/10180/0/HCDminutes_10-8-2019+%284%29.pdf/8011ce26-9024-16a0-a08b-d4ab406c44cb
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