Between the Parks—The Model Blocks of Chicago
Ernest Sanders
Published: October 7, 2006
Alderman Latasha Thomas excites everyone about the Model Blocks project.
Photo: Ernest Sanders
As she emphatically does on every occasion, Alderman Latasha Thomas graciously welcomes Mayor Richard M. Daley, community residents and leaders, various departments from the City of Chicago, elected officials, and a host of others to The Mighty 17th Ward.
Historic Chicago Bungalow Association Sign
Photo: Ernest Sanders
Alderman Thomas’ praises of the 17th Ward were on point as Mayor Daley and others were in attendance to see the improvements of “Between the Parks”—the historic bungalow homes in the Auburn-Gresham community between the 7600-7800 blocks of Throop. Alderman Thomas explained that, “Between the Parks represents homes between Renaissance Park (located at 79th and Throop) and Martin Luther King Park (76th and Throop).” Part of the tour included two homes in which the city has committed to restoring and making environmental friendly.
According to Mayor Daley, “When you preserve historic bungalows, you preserve the whole neighborhood. And when you renovate the bungalows with the latest energy-conservation materials and devices, you save money and protect the environment.”
Carlos Nelson, Mayor Daley, and Fr. Pfleger have a conversation about Model Blocks project.
Photo: Ernest Sanders
Such energy-conservation materials and devices included the installation of new Light Emitting Diode (LED) streetlights with lamps that reduces energy and maintenance costs.
Previous to his speech the Mayor engaged himself in conversation with Father Michael Pfleger and Carlos Nelson and talked about more affordable housing and economic diversity in Auburn-Gresham and the City of Chicago. The Mayor also mentioned that certain elements of this environmental project was performed by an ex-offender population and expressed the importance of future employment for ex-offenders when working on environmental projects as this one—locally and citywide.
The preservation of bungalow homes is part of an initiative led by the Historic Chicago Bungalow Initiative in partnership with the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. This enormous undertaking was managed by Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC), in conjunction with Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS) and the City of Chicago Departments of Energy, Housing, Street and Sanitation, and Transportation.
This project also received acclaim from Andrew Mooney, Senior Program Director of Local Initiatives Support Corporation/Chicago (LISC), Kelly Dibble of Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), Alderman Ray Suarez (Chairman of the Committee on Housing & Real Estate in the City Council), State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-16), and Andre Holmes in attendance for State Representative Milton Patterson (D-32).
Ms. Walker & Ms. Goodman were in attendance to celebrate with Mayor Daley
Photo: Ernest Sanders
Neighborhood residents Ann Walker and Nancy Goodman gave their approval and said, “Everything is nice. We could not ask for better.”
The Mayor’s visit was his first today in the Auburn-Gresham & Englewood communities. Afterwards, he proceeded to another rare gem in the community—the newly built Salvation Army at 69th and Morgan. His visits to the community were just one week previous to an earlier trip here in which he acknowledged the efforts and results of the 79th Streetscape Beautification Project.
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