Third Ward Newsletter February 2012 Inside this issue: Dear Third Ward Resident: The new year has been a busy one so far. After much debate and effort to ensure everyone has fair and equal representation, the City Council passed an ordinance Third Ward Up- 1-4 establishing new ward boundaries that will take effect in March. As you can tell from date the map and the information in the Third Ward Update, the Third Ward underwent a few changes to recoup the population loss suffered while having a minimal impact Events in and 4-7 on the communities we currently serve. around the Ward As you know, February is Black History Month. It is a time to reflect on the many 8-12 great contributions African-Americans have made to our country. The Third Ward is Important An- home to many historically significant sites including: the Roberts Temple where Em- nouncements mett Till's funeral became a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement, the Rosenwald, which was one of the first American housing developments to mix residential, com- Third Ward Stars 13 mercial and social uses and was home to many African-American luminaries, and St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church, which became known as the "Mother Church" for February CAPS 13 African-American Catholics in Chicago. The Third Ward is home to DuSable High School where thanks to the instruction and legacy of Captain Wal- ter Dyett many successful musicians such as Gene Ammons, Wilbur Ware, Julian Priester, Von Freeman, Eddie Harris, Johny Hartman, and Johnnie Griffin to name a few, attended the school. Additionally, musi- cians like Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, and Dinah Washington attended Wendell Phillips High School. Indeed, African-Americans have much to be proud of and people of all cultural backgrounds can appreciate the history that has unfolded both nationally and in the Third Ward communities. I am honored to be the elected representative of such an historically important part of our country. As you read through this newsletter, please take note of the Third Ward Meet the Candidates Night, which will be February 23rd at the Chicago Urban League (see events section). As we prepare for the March Pri- mary Elections, this gives you the opportunity to learn more about each candidate. Stay warm and safe and have a happy Valentine's Day. Sincerely, Pat Dowell Alderman, 3rd Ward Third Ward Update New Third Ward Map Available As required by federal and state law, the City of Chicago recently redrew ward boundaries for all 50 wards. This is done every ten years after the Census data is collected in order to create wards with approximately the same number of residents. Alderman Dowell worked closely with the members of the African American Caucus and her neighbors including 4th Ward Alderman Will Burns, 11th Ward Alderman James Balcer, 20th Ward Alderman Willie Cochran and 25th Ward Alderman Danny Solis to ensure that our ward's boundaries are coherent and correspond, to the greatest extent possible, to local neighborhood boundaries. (continued on pg. 2) Third Ward Update (continued) New Third Ward Map Available (continued from pg. 1) Given the significant loss of population in our ward, Alderman Dowell is satisfied with our new boundaries. While we lost our Back of the Yards and Englewood territory, we picked up a significant portion of the Douglas and the South Loop communities which are part of the 2nd Ward. The new ward boundaries will take full effect after the March primary elections at which point, Alderman Dowell will be hosting town hall meetings to welcome new residents and hear their ideas and concerns. To view an interactive map of the redistricting for all 50 wards, please visit http://www.wbez.org/no-sidebar/approved-ward-map- 95662. To view the actual ordinance that was passed by the City Council on January 19th, 2012, that contains specific boundary information, please visit http://chicityclerk.com/2012_redistrict.php. New Water Main Project Reliable Contracting and Equipment Company will install approximately 1,437 feet of 16-inch water main on South Union from West 53rd St. to West Garfield Boulevard. As part of this project, the southbound traffic and parking lanes of South Union Ave- nue will be resurfaced along with the repair of the damaged parkway and sidewalk. The installation is anticipated to begin in mid- February 2012 with the completion of this project in mid-May 2012. Ickes Redevelopment The Chicago Housing Authority's (CHA) new CEO, Charles Woodyard has been out to the Harold Ickes (Ickes) site and sur- rounding neighborhood and has seen its great redevelopment potential. As you may know, the redevelopment of Ickes is part of the Plan for Transformation. Given the realities of the economy and real estate market, now is a good time to evaluate lessons learned and investigate the best practices in moving forward effec- tively. Thus, the CHA in partnership with all of their stakeholders, is moving forward with a process to recalibrate the Plan. This recalibration will result in the Plan for Transformation 2.0 (PFT 2.0). Sustainability, increasing options for housing, collaborating and leveraging funds and partnerships are key principles for PFT 2.0. These principles are in agreement with those established in the Ickes Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to effectively build a strong sustainable community that provides opportunity to its residents. The release of the Ickes RFQ will be timed to assure alignment with the results of the PFT 2.0 planning process which is expected to be near the end of the first quarter 2012. A proposed amendment notice to the FY2012 Moving to Work Annual Plan-Plan for Transformation Year 13 has been issued and public comments are being accepted on line at CHA's website (www.thecha.org) and at all CHA administrative offices includ- ing 60 E. Van Buren, Property Management and HCV Satellite offices, the office of the Central Advisory Council and Local Advi- sory Council offices. Additionally, Alderman Dowell will be hosting community meetings to review the new plan. Third Ward Calls for Service According to 311 City Services, 505 calls were made to 311 from the Third Ward, which generated 656 city service requests in December, 2011. These figures do not include calls made to 911, from cell phones, or requests made directly from Alderman Dowell's office, which means the numbers are likely significantly higher. Third Ward Update (continued) Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Vacant Buildings Ordinance Last November, Alderman Dowell introduced the Vacant Buildings Ordinance, which was passed and requires mortgage holders of vacant properties in foreclosure to pay to register vacant, abandoned buildings with the city and maintain them to specific standards, even though they do not have legal title to the homes. In January, a federal court judge temporarily sided with the City of Chicago and tabled the federal government's request for a summary judgment in its case seeking to exempt hundreds of thousands of properties from the city's vacant building ordinance. Visit http:// www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-federal-judge-sides-with-city-in-vacant-housing-case- 20120119,0,5130371.story to read the full story in the Chicago Tribune. Harold Washington Cultural Center Court proceedings to determine the fate of the Harold Washington Cultural Center continue. City Colleges of Chi- cago has said that, if awarded the property, it aspires to fulfill the community's long-standing vision for the cultural gem and develop programming for the multi-purpose facility to ensure it serves as a vital economic engine for the area. CCC looks forward to the opportunity to work with community members, local artists, local businesses, and per- forming arts schools to add another facet to Bronzeville's rich cultural mosaic. Deleterious Impact Ordinance Amendments Make it Easier for Communities to Take Action In January, Alderman Deborah Graham's (29th Ward) ordinance to strengthen community actions against nuisance busi- nesses passed the Committee on License & Consumer Protection. Alderman Dowell worked closely with Alderman Gra- ham on this piece of legislation and was a co-sponsor. The ordinance makes amendments to the existing Deleterious Impact Ordinance. It eliminates the overburdened com- munity petition process for those affected by a business accused of being a nuisance. This requirement hindered Alder- man Dowell and the Calumet/Prairie Block Club's effort to revoke the liquor license for Calumet Food and Liquor. It also reduces the number of illegal felonies, narcotics, or weapons violations a business can have in a 12-month period from five to three. The amendments make it easier for community members to take action against problem businesses, but are also designed to prevent false allegations and offer problem businesses an opportunity to submit an operational plan to correct their problems. New Parking Meter Rates As you may already know, on-street metered parking rates in the city of Chicago were adjusted throughout the month of January. Regardless, motorists should be aware that they are only required to pay the amount that is posted on the me- ters. For additional information, please visit www.chicagometers.com. The new metered rates are as follows: Inside the Loop (the area bounded by Lake Michigan to the East, Wacker Drive to the North and West, and Con- gress parkway to the South), rates will be adjusted from $5 to $5.75/hour. Half rate applies from 9pm to 8am. In the Central Business District outside the Loop (the area bounded by Lake Michigan to the East, North Avenue to the North, Halsted to the West, and Roosevelt Road to the South), rates will be adjusted from $3 to $3.50/hour.