After many years of disinvestment, North Lawndale is once again a community that is getting a closer look by developers and investors. There are a number of incentives that are available to them, including TIF funds, free or deeply discounted land, tax reductions, tax credits, etc.
One school of thought suggests that North Lawndale residents should be happy that businesses decide to locate here, or that developers decide to build houses here. While this is good for business and helps improve the tax base, there is very little evidence that North Lawndale residents benefit directly–even in instances where local property taxes are being used to subsidize the development. There must be a way for developers and investors to make money while providing real opportunities to local residents and business owners.
We will host a a panel discussion on community benefits agreements (CBA’s) on November 9, 2016, from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm at a location to be determined. The panel, the members of which are still being confirmed, will include an attorney, developer and community activists from North Lawndale and other communities around the city of Chicago who will share their successes and challenges with negotiating legally-binding community benefits agreements. This meeting is being sponsored by our Economic Development, Infrastructure and Transportation subcomittees.
For further information, contact Audrey Dunford, Vice Chair of the Infrastructure Subcommittee at audrey.dunford@gmail.com.
North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council 