outh Street 444 East 48th Street Chicago, IL60&15 News for and serving: Grand Boulevard, DouglasJourna, Oakland, Kenwood, Woodlawn, Washington Park, Hydle Park , Near South, Gap, Fuller Park, Armour Square Volume 5 Number 3 The Bronzeville/ Black. Metropolis "Community Newspaper June 18 - July 1, 1998 Dick Bregory key speaker at Bronzeville Peoples Congress for Political Accountability Bronzeville - Despite the unprecedented pros­ Bronzeville, defined by BOSS is bound from Church, 4100 S. King Drive. The keynote Council and a member perity the United States currently enjoys, BOSS, the area between 22nd street to 71 st, Dan Ryan speaker will be Dick Gregory, with special of BOSS. "We invite (Bronzeville' Organizing Strategy Sessions) to Cottage Grove as defined by St. Clair drake guest Malik Yusef and guest moderator Cliff the community to Dick Gregory charge that while these are good economic and Horace R. Clayton in Vol. II of the book Kelly. become part of this event as we set standards for times for some, the growing disparity between "Black Metropolis" (1962.. "This is part of a series of community events true political representation in the community." the rich and the poor is evidence that not all is BOSS, a collaboration of key community- that have been undertaken to improve the The theme of the Congress is Political Ac­ well at least in the Bronzeville area. Directing based organizations in the area is hosting the quality of life in Bronzeville through a commu­ countability. "What BOSS hopes to accomplish its attention to the Grand Boulevard area, 82 Bronzeville People's Congress, Saturday, June nity education and organizing process," said at the Congress is a heightened awareness of the percent of children live in poverty. 27, from 10am to 12 noon, at Metropolis George Lowe of the Lake Meadows Tenants democratic process with elected leaders in our community," noted Lowe. BOSS will also present a manifesto detailing elected officials accountability to the residents. Taylor Homes; The demo of the "Mole" In the organization's Community Manifesto Washington Park - Ter­ buildings. Since and Covenant, it highlights an agreement to rell Elementary school pFebruary 1996 resi- support only candidates for public office who received major attention Idents from the HoH agree to sign-on to their mission of the early this year as numer­ Ihave been informed restoration of Bronzeville. It has ten points ous civic and community "ley would have to covering voter registration. Economic organizations submitted ove--as far as Den- Continue on page 3 commitments once again er, and CHA will in the Chicago Housing ay for moving ex- Authority's Robert Tay­ enses," one CHA lor Homes. With all the epresentative told TIF proposed commitments for change ^roup of them at a CHA has proposed to (meeting. demolish the entire 916 The choices given Taylor apartments were scattered site for 59th to replace it with mixed housing or section 8. income and commercial Many if not all chose buildings. Section 8, according 1 1st Street ** "lift ! ' tint" were-- 134 Villian Potter, a units located at 3901 S. onomls Federal. In process is Potter told SSJ that 308 units, commonly less than 19 families known as the "Hole," remain in two build­ for the 20th ward. ings. 5322 S. State, 5323 S. SSJ photo by Armadell Hicks Woodlawn/Washington Park - A familiar site in The "Hole" at 53rd and State Street consisting of three public housing buildings is known for Potter said that State; and 5326 S. State most African American communities is major its name based on, once you come in, you won't come out. CHA efforts are underway to CHA has been all to be demolished by housing development followed by non-Blacks demolish more than 3,000 units of deteriorated public housing. working with fami­ the end of this summer. working on a great majority of the projects, espe­ It also had a long history of low educational lies and the community weekly insuring all are The shooting in Terrell Elementary school cially in the construction trade. In the scores. Never-the-less it produced thousands relocated. She said all have received some early this year was just one example of the Washington Park community Cecilia Butler, of contributing citizens such as Phillip Jack­ form of Section 8 housing. problems in Taylor Homes, and specifically the executive director of Greater Washington Park son, Chief of Staff of Chicago Public Schools However, The Coalition to Protect Public Hole. Its name derived from "if you come in, Community Development Corporation and Ron Carter, Publisher of South Street Housing (CPPH) question the realty of Section you can't come out." (GWPDC) is charging the lead to address both Journal. But still the low income community 8 Housing. With all of the ill factors associated with the concerns. Hole, during the 60's and 70's Terrell school produce the common menaces to it. Lydia Taylor a spokesperson for CPPH says For years the goal was to demolish high rise However, her organization's first concern is the once had corporate punishment of the students. Continue on page 7redevelopmen t plan process for the Washington Park community. "The city of Chicago is now allowing The Woodlawn Organization (TWO), to take the The Lou Rawls Theatre: assets of surrounding communities and call them Woodlawn" charged Butler. WPPCD reported that the city's Dept. of A development would revitalize 47th Street Planning is maneuvering to create a TIF (Tax awaited Lou Rawls Entertainment Center. Increment Financing) district for the two Aid. Dorothy Tillman hosted a who's who in communities, extending from Stoney Island Ave. her terms, "A Wholistic Approach" in com­ to the Dan Ryan Expressway, down 63rd Street. munity development. Joining in the celebration The area is composed of two other communities; was Mayor Richard Daley, entertainer Otis Englewood and Grand Crossing, all bound in the Clay, who starred in "Soul Food," Coco 20th ward and lead by Alderman Arenda Talyor, Rev. Leon Finney, Philip Jackson and Troutman. Roy Hightower. The Washington Park and Woodlawn com­ Unable to attend was Lou Rawls, but who munities both lost 70% of its housing units and donated $100,000 to the project. He was joined more than 50% of its population. The city of with other donations such as a $10,000 pledge Chicago has allowed this to happen said Butler. by Dr. Leon Finney of The Woodlawn Organi­ However, on-going plans for about a year zation, Hometown Distributors donated $10,000 Woodlawn/Washington Park with an additional $100,000 to be donated with Area to be Targeted the opening of the theatre. Elzie Higginbottom . 51st of East lake Management who is the contractor Washington Park and developer of the project also donated Redevelopment $50,000 in addition to property next to the land Designation worth $150,000. The donations helped ease the concern that not enough private funds were involved in the project that is mainly supported by public SSJ photo by Armadeli Hicks funds--$4.5 million from the city's Empower­ On the corner of 47th & King Drive, The Lou Rawls Theater & Cultural Center is nearing the ment Zone funds. In addition a $2 million city start of construction as over 200 joined the ground breaking ceremony, (I to r) Mayor Richard bond funded the project and the State of Illinois Daley, Thema Smith, of Illinois Federal, Elize Higginbottom the developer. Aid. (3) Dorothy provided $250,000 with the assistance of Rep. Tillman and Inez Ardrews, gospel singer, attended the celebration. Lou Jones, who was also present at the ground­ Grand Blvd. - For over five years Grand Boule- major project of the Lou Rawls Entertainment breaking. vard residents have seen their business strip on and Cultural Center which finally arrived with Also in attendance was Wallace "Gator" 47th Street stagnate despite efforts to revive it sound community participation of over 200 Bradley who criticized the process, wanting a over the years. To their hope and wait is the taking part in the Ground Breaking of the long Continue on page 5 Continue on page 6 • Page 2 June !8-]iiIy i, 1998 South Street Journal Graduation Dr. Burroughs seeks former Time students Dr. Margaret Dobie Gatson, a member Burroughs is seeking all former j of the class of 1998 at students from all locations to set up June Mount Carmel High and organize a Founders Committee. "I got the idea for the DuSable; School, was ready to let Thursday, 18 Museum from my students," Dr. his dreams take flight Mid-South Political Action Coalition (MS.PAC) meets Burroughs recently said. Persons following the school's every Thursday 7:00 pm. for info call 373-6292. interested can send their name, commencement exercises address, daytime and evening phone j Friday, 19 at Rockefeller Chapel of number, and the name of the school the University of Chicago. attended and the year you graduated Dr. M. Burroughs Black Expo The graduate of Zion Hill to Dr. Margaret Burroughs, c/o the June 19 -21 Grammar School and son DuSable Museum, 740 E. 56th place, Chicago, IL. 60637. of Nobie and Deborah Meetings are now in session. at Soldier's Field Gatson lives in the Mid- Having a Baby? Mercy Diagnostic and Treatment Center South community. Chicago Bee Branch at 36th State provides pregnant women and parents of newborns Congratulations to all with information and support to help with the daily named Historic Site challenges. 1st & 3rd Fri., 1 to 3 pm at the Mercy D&T Gratis of Mid-South!! Center, 2525 S. Michigan. Call Ms. Lawrence at 312/567-6165 or Ms. Bluford at 567-7902 Saturday 20 Crusaders for Justice regular meeting, 12 noon at the Holiness Temple Church.