Lawndale Center for Community Development

Lawndale Center for Community Development
An Economic Development Powerhouse, By The Community, For The Community.

0.0 - Table of Contents
0.1 Abstract
- The Brief
1.0 An Opportunity For Collaboration
- The Vision
2.0 Communiversity Programming
- The Chicago Housing Authority
- Housing Units
- Partnerships
3.0 Neighborhood Plans
- Financing
- Economic Opportunities
- Lawndale By The Numbers
4.0 Governmental Partners
- Lawndale by the Numbers
Charlie Young - 2017

0.1 - Abstract
This report proposes an adaptive, mixed reuse of the Nathaniel Pope
Public School, converting the building into a central hub for urban planning and
redevelopment, a communiversity, in the North and South Lawndale communities;
The Lawndale Center for Community Development (LCCD).
This report should be read in conjuction with:
- North Lawndale: Faith Rewarded Quality of Life Plan - May 2005
- The Little Village Quality of Life Plan - June 2013
TEAM NEO
Charlie Young
Erika Canchola
Ian Wylie
Olumide Omobulejo
Instructors
Odile Compagnon § Lynette Stuhlmacher
TA
Alyssa Frystak

0.2 - The Brief
The Brief
The brief is to select one of three sites in the N Lawndale community, propose an alternative use that provides affordable
housing, and meet the immediate needs of the N Lawndale community.
The Nathaniel Pope Public School
The school is located at 1852 S. Albany avenue Chicago. Designed by Arthur F. Hussander (1865-1943), the building was built in
1918 and named after Nathaniel Pope (1784-1850), Illinois’ first senator. The school was shuttered in 2013 by Chicago Public
Schools under Rahm Emanuel. It served as a K-6 school, with 184 students enrolled in the final year. School facilities
included a science lab, a computer lab, a special-ed room, a nurse’s office, a game room and five rooms for after-school and
supportive programs.
The Proposal
The proposal is to have an adaptive, mixed reuse of the Nathaniel Pope Public School, converting the building into a central
hub for urban planning and redevelopment, a communiversity, in the N and S Lawndale communities; the Lawndale Center
for Community Development (LCCD)
Charlie Young - 2017Charlie Young - 2017

0.2 - Lawndale
Google Satellite Imagery - 2017
Google Satellite Imagery - 2017

0.2 - Nathaniel Pope Public School

0.2 - Douglas Park
Charlie Young - 2017 Charlie Young - 2017
Charlie Young - 2017 Charlie Young - 2017 Charlie Young - 2017

0.2 - Lawndale
19th & Albany
19th St
Mt. Sinai Hospital
St. Anthony's Hospital

1857 - Once part of Cicero Township, in 1869 the eastern
section of North Lawndale to Pulaski Road was annexed to
Chicago by an act of the state legislature. In 1870 the
community was split into North and South Lawndale by
Millard and Deeker, a real estate agency.
1889 - The western boundary of Lawndale is expanded.
An influx of Bohemian & Czech Immigrants tripled the
population to ~112,000 people by 1930.
1930 - The Jewish population of Lawndale began to
move North.
1950 - The Great Black Migration brought ~100,000 new
citizens to Lawndale from the Southern U.S. White citizens
fled the neighborhood; contract buying and other
predatory housing policies began.
1966 - Martin Luther King jr. moved into 1550 S. Hamlin Ave
to begin the Chicago Freedom Movement, a civil rights
campaign for open housing and economic equality.
1968 - Riots followed the assassination of Martin Luther
King, Jr. in 1968, destroying many of the stores along
Roosevelt & Pulaski and accelerating a decline that led to a
loss of 75% of businesses in the community by 1970.
1969 - International Harvesters closed
1970 - 87 - Sears Closed
Zenith & Sunbeam closed
Western Electric closed
1988 - Homan Square Foundation created
1.0 - An Opportunity For Collaboration
As gentrification continues westward, the population density of
Little Village and S Lawndale will push upwards into N Lawndale.
With a population of ~35,000 people, and building stock for a
population of 60,000+, displacement is not an issue of density
but of economics.
If Lawndale is allowed to gentrify in the typical manner, i.e. rent
prices rise by ~3x as capital investment is made in housing, the
current population of the community will be forced to leave.
The Chicago Housing Authority owns the Nathaniel Pope
Public School building and intends to use it for their offices.
We propose that the CHA make space for the community in the
building; to allow for a literal vertical integration to take place
between government and community, and to begin a process of
collaboration with the Lawndale community into the future.
Pope School Closing
WBEZ/Chip Mitchell - 2013

1.1 - The Vision
The proposal is to have a mixed use building:
- 3rd Floor - Housing - mostly 1 bedroom apartments
- 2nd Floor - CHA Office Space | Auditorium Balcony
- 1st Floor - Shared Community /Office Space | Auditorium
Cohesion between housing services and building partners
- i.e., if housing units are senior housing, have some senior-focused services
in building (medical care, banking, legal assistance, etc.)
Ensure the building is fully ADA compliant
- An elevator will need to be installed.
Become LEED Certified
- MEP systems will need to be redesigned and replaced.
- Renewable energy and waste management systems will need to be developed.
- Building envelope improvements will increase energy efficiency and
mitigate future costs.
Pursue Historic Building Status
- Facade restoration.
- Obtain Chicago Landmark Status and/or become listed on the National Register
of Historic Places. The building is Chicago Historic Resources Survey Orange
Status, meaning it “possess(es) some architectural feature or historical
association that (makes it) potentially significant in the context of the
surrounding community.”
Pope School Closing

2.0 - Housing Units
"The CHA anticipates utilizing the Pope School property to provide fourteen accessible residential units to be leased from
CHA’s waitlist..." We propose an alternative solution.
We propose that the CHA provide fourteen accessible units to be leased to individuals who have been recently released
from the Cook County Prison. Given that medical and recreational marijuana posession has been decriminalized in Illinois
and several other states, it is only fair to provide temporary housing accompanied by workforce and financial literacy
training to individuals with petty drug and other non-violent charges. Program participants could then move into other
properties in the community, prepared with the skills needed to make a living.
This program would allow for the citizens of Lawndale to build equity and take part in building the economy of Chicago.
Pope School Closing

2.1 - The Chicago Housing Authority
"The resolution for Item 10 approves submittal of an application to HUD for the acquisition of Nathaniel Pope Elementary
School. Nathaniel Pope Elementary School is a decommissioned Chicago Public School building located in Chicago’s North
Lawndale neighborhood at 1852 S. Albany Avenue and is adjacent to Douglas Park. The CHA anticipates utilizing the Pope
School property to provide fourteen accessible residential units to be leased from CHA’s waitlist and to provide new office
space for the Housing Choice Voucher Program’s west satellite office. The Chicago Board of Education and the Public
Building Commission have approved the purchase agreement. The Public Building Commission manages the ownership of
school properties on behalf of the Chicago Public Schools. The Public Building Commission requires a formal board
authorization from the CHA to finalize the conveyance of Nathaniel Pope School. Pope School will serve as an
unprecedented redevelopment opportunity to reuse and convert a former school facility into a mixed-use development
that will be beneficial for the CHA and the surrounding community." - CHA Commissioners' Regular Meeting Minutes 9/20/16

2.1 - The Chicago Housing Authority

2.2 - Communiversity Programming
- Satellite Offices for Community Organizations
- A Public Library
- Low Cost/Pro-Bono Legal Services
- Workforce Skills Training
- Home and Business Ownership Courses
- Financial Literacy Courses
- After School Programs
i.e., music school, athletic programs, etc.
- Pre-K Programs
Pope School Closing
Pope School Closing

2.2 - Communiversity Programming

The direct client for the project is the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA),
because the building currently belongs to them. They are responsible for
developing housing policy, providing job training and housing, and assisting
tenants in organizing their own non-profit organizations.
The Lawndale community stands to gain equity and knowledge through
workforce training, financial literacy, home and business ownership courses,
and access to other educational resources.
There are also a number of organizations that need to be liaised with due to
their work in the community.
- The North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council (NLCCC)
- Enlace Chicago
- LISC Chicago
- Neighbourhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS)
- The Homan Square Foundation
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
2.3 - Partnerships - Team Work Makes The Dream Work

It will be the mission of LCCD Partners to develop and
execute neighborhood plans for economic development,
housing development, educational reform, and cultural
policy in a forward thinking, sustainment-minded way.
This task can be accomplished through collaboration with
community members and organizations, government agencies,
and other social service agencies.
There are several avenues for funding the LCCD.
- Tax-Exempt 501 (c)(3) Bond Financing
- User Capital - Community Organizations Lease Office Space
- Chicago Housing Authority Capital Funds
- Tax Increment Financing - up to 20%
- Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits - 20% if a certified
historic structure, 10% if built prior to 1936 and structure
is non-historic
- New Markets Tax Credits - up to 20%
- Historic Rehabilitation Grants
- Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits - 4% or 9%
- Illinois Affordable Housing (Donation) Tax Credits
- HOME (National Affordable Housing Act) Funds
- Chicago Low Income Housing Trust Fund
- Illinois Housing Development Authority Trust Fund
- Government capital grants - e.g., State of Illinois
- Private Equity
- Conventional Financing/Corporate Partner Financing
- Mission-Based Financing and Grants
2.4 - The Mission
Pope School Closing

2.5 - Governmental Partners
Chicago City Council
-Economic, Capital and Technology
Development
-Education and Child Development
-Finance
-Health and Environmental Protection
-Housing and Real Estate
-Pedestrian and Traffic Safety
-Public Safety
-Zoning, Landmarks and Building
Standards
Board of Commissioners
John T. Hooker
Matthew Brewer
Craig Chico
Mark Cozzi
Dr. Mildred Harris
Meghan Harte
John G Markowski
Christina Matos
Francine Washington
Mayor Rahm Emanuel
-Department of Buildings
-Department of Finance
-Department of Innovation and
Technology
-Department of Law
-Department of Planning and
Development
-Department of Public Health
-Department of Streets and Sanitation

2.5 - Governmental Partners
Alderman Michael Scott Jr. - 24th Ward
1158 S Keeler Ave
Chicago, IL 60624
----------------------------------------------
Chicago City Council Black Caucus
-Budget and Government Operations
-Rules and Ethics
-Economic, Capital and Technology
Development
-Housing and Real Estate
-License and Consumer Protection
-Special Events, Cultural Affairs and
Recreation
Alderman Ricardo Munoz - 22nd Ward
2500 S. St Louis Ave
Chicago, IL 60623
----------------------------------------------
-Budget and Government Operations
-Committees, Rules and Ethics
-Finance
-Human Relations
-Public Safety

2.6 - LCCD Programming
EJCPS Cooperative Agreement - CFDA No. 66.306
Purpose: To support community-based organizations
in collaborating and partnering with local stakeholder
groups in developing and implementing solutions that
address environmental and/or public health issues
for underserved communities. Projects must
demonstrate the use of the Environmental Justice
Collaborative Problem- Solving Model to support
collaborative efforts during the project period.
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations including, but not
limited to, environmental justice networks and faith-
based or religious-affiliated organizations; and Native
American tribal governments and organizations.
Funding: $1.2 million; awards of up to $120,000.
Deadline: 2/16/2018.
Contact: Jacob Burney, Tel. (202) 564-2907
E-mail: burney.jacob@epa.gov
CFDA No. 11.008
Purpose: To support the education of K-12 students and
the public so that they are knowledgeable of the ways
in which communities can be more resilient to extreme
weather events and/or other environmental hazards
and help achieve that resilience.
Eligibility: Institutions of higher education; K-12 public
and independent schools and school systems; other
nonprofits, including museums, zoos, and aquariums;
state and local government agencies; and Indian tribal
governments.
Funding: $2 million; awards between $250,000 and
$500,000.
Deadline: 4/6/2018.
Contact: E-mail: oed.grants@noaa.gov

CFDA No. 93.504
Purpose: To provide information, education, technical
assistance, and peer support to families of children
and youth with special healthcare needs and the
professionals who serve them.
Eligibility: Public or private entities, including faith- and
community-based organizations; and Native American
tribal governments and organizations.
Funding: $4.88 million
Contact: Tigisty Zerilassie, Tel. (301) 443-7220
E-mail: tzerilassie@hrsa.gov
CFDA No. 16.889
Purpose: To provide enhanced services to adult and
youth victims of violence and sexual abuse who are
members of underserved populations; build the
capacity of both mainstream organizations and
organizations that serve underserved populations to
provide culturally appropriate and inclusive services;
and increase training and outreach activites for
organizations that provide services to underserved
populations.
Eligibility: Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status with the IRS,
other than institutions of higher education.
Funding: $4.7 million; awards of up to $300,000.
Contact: Kara Moller, Tel. (202) 616-3464
E-mail: kara.moller@usdoj.gov
2.6 - LCCD Programming

North Lawndale: Faith-Rewarded - Lawndale Christian Development Corporation, 2005
STRATEGY 1 - Strengthen Ogden Avenue as Lawndale’s main commercial street, while seeking a mix of uses
along Pulaski Road and W. 16th Street.
- Reconfigure and beautify Ogden Avenue to support retail and pedestrian activity.
- Develop commercial and recreational uses at the “Five Corners” intersection of Ogden/Cermak/Pulaski.
- Seek residential infill projects along 16th Street and Pulaski Road between improved commercial nodes.
- Concentrate new housing and commercial development around the Pulaski and Central Park CTA train stations.
- Honor the organizing efforts of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with new affordable apartments.
STRATEGY 2 - Develop a comprehensive housing program that serves homeowners and renters.
- Support current homeowners and maintain North Lawndale’s historic housing stock through the North Lawndale Greystone Initiative.
- Increase quality affordable homeownership opportunities.
- Increase quality affordable rental opportunities.
- Fill in vacant lots with a mix of new housing types.
STRATEGY 3 - Provide amenities and improve community image with new neighborhood infrastructure.
- Create gateway features and community icons along Ogden Avenue.
- Construct a National Football League football field and track.
- Improve street paving and sidewalks and add bicycle lanes.
- Construct a playground and athletic facilities on currently vacant land.
- Facilitate development of a family entertainment center at Ogden, Cermak and Springfield.
STRATEGY 4 - Support existing businesses, nurture new commercial development and promote job creation.
- Create the North Lawndale Community Resource Guide.
- Develop a North Lawndale business-oriented web site.
- Organize a North Lawndale Chamber of Commerce.
- Promote job and business creation through the Armory Redevelopment Project.
STRATEGY 5 - Increase employment options for North Lawndale residents.
- Improve job skills and earning power of local residents through skills training, employment networking and entrepreneurship training.
- Develop Chicago Police Department Career Exposure workshops.
Little Village Quality of Life Plan - Enlace Chicago, 2013
ARTS & CULTURE
- Support and encourage collaboration among local artists
- Strengthen community events and programs focused on arts and culture
- Create and expand temporary and long-term spaces for arts and culture
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- Increase resources for entrepreneurs
- Support branding and beautification efforts
- Increase workforce development programs and job opportunities
EDUCATION
- Strengthen and expand early childhood opportunities
- Support children in elementary and middle school
- Support youth in high school, in college, and in their career goals
- Enhance Adult Education
GREEN SPACE & RECREATION
- Maintain, support, and enhance existing green and recreational spaces
- Develop new recreational spaces
- Increase community impact through improved programming
HEALTH
- Improve access to quality healthcare for the entire community
- Strengthen preventative health measures for residents
- Reduce chronic illnesses
HOUSING
- Increase sustainable home ownership and reduce foreclosures
- Increase the affordability and quality of rental housing
- Develop new housing options for a diverse range of incomes
IMMIGRATION
- Promote leadership development around immigration issues
- Strengthen the capacity of existing service providers and
encourage partnerships to attract additional resources
- Provide accurate and timely immigration information to the community
SAFETY
- Continue to develop violence prevention programs for youth and families
- Enhance and broaden educational opportunities for youth
- Increase community engagement and leadership around safety issues.
- Strengthen the community and police relationship.
- Create a safer and cleaner physical environment
3.0 - Neighborhood Plans

3.1 - Lawndale By The Numbers
The following data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau via statisticalatlas.com

3.1 - Lawndale By The Numbers
North & South Lawndale
City-Owned Land Inventory
https://data.cityofchicago.org/
Community-Economic-Develop
ment/City-Owned-Land-Inventory-
Map/y5ck-7s96
North & South Lawndale
Vacant Buildings
https://ipiweb.cityofchicago.org/
VBR/Default.aspx

3.2 - Economic Opportunity
Illinois Enterprise Zone Program Map
"The Illinois Enterprise Zone Program is
designed to stimulate economic growth
and neighborhood revitalization in
economically depressed areas of the
state through state and local tax
incentives, regulatory relief and
improved governmental services.
Businesses located or expanding in an
Illinois enterprise zone may be
eligible for... state and local tax
incentives."
Chicago Tax Increment Financing Map
"Tax Increment Financing is a special
funding tool used by the City of Chicago
to promote public and private
investment across the city. Funds are
used to build and repair roads and
infrastructure, clean polluted land and
put vacant properties back to
productive use, usually in conjunction
with private development projects.
Funding levels for specific projects are
coordinated with area plans and goals."
Industrial Corridor
Modernization Initiative Map
"Recent, community-based planning
efforts have determined that new
policies are needed to respond to
changing industrial demands and for
Chicago to maintain its historic role
as one of the world's most competitive
manufacturing centers."

3.3 - Illinois Enterprise Zone Program
Illinois Enterprise Zone Program
The Illinois Enterprise Zone Program is designed to stimulate
economic growth and neighborhood revitalization in
economically depressed areas of the state through state
and local tax incentives, regulatory relief and improved
governmental services. Businesses located or expanding in
an Illinois enterprise zone may be eligible for the following
state and local tax incentives:
State Incentives and Exemptions
- Exemption on retailers’ occupation tax paid on building
materials
- An investment tax credit of 0.5% of qualified property
- Expanded state sales tax exemptions on purchases of
personal property used or consumed in the manufacturing
process or in the operation of a pollution control facility
- An exemption on the state utility tax for electricity and
natural gas
An exemption on the Illinois Commerce Commission’s
administrative charge and telecommunication excise tax
Exemptions are available for companies that make minimum
statutory investments that either create or retain a certain
number of jobs. These exemptions require a business to
make application to, and be certified by, the Illinois
Department of Commerce.
Local Incentives and Exemptions
In addition to state incentives, each zone offers local
incentives to enhance business development projects. Each
zone has a designated local zone administrator responsible
for compliance and is available to answer questions.
To receive a Certificate of Eligibility for Sales Tax Exemption,
you must contact the local zone administrator of the zone
into which purchased building materials will be incorporated.
Government Partners
Ms. Joann Worthy
Assistant to Deputy Commissioner
City of Chicago
Department of Planning & Development
City Hall, Room 1003
121 N. LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312.744.7076
E-mail: joann.worthy@cityofchicago.org
Mr. David L. Reifman
Commissioner
Department of Planning and Development
121 North LaSalle Street, Room 1000
312.744.9362
Email: David.Reifman@cityofchicago.org
Mr. John Molloy
Economic Development Coordinator
Department of Planning and Development
121 North LaSalle Street, 10th Floor
312.744.7223
Email: John.Molloy@Cityofchicago.org

3.4 - Tax Increment Financing
Tax Increment Financing is a special funding tool used
by the City of Chicago to promote public and private
investment across the city. Funds are used to build and
repair roads and infrastructure, clean polluted land
and put vacant properties back to productive use,
usually in conjunction with private development
projects. Funds are generated by growth in the
Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) of properties within
a designated district over a period of 23 years.
Funding levels for specific projects are coordinated
with area plans and goals. When an area is declared
a TIF district, the amount of property tax the area
generates is set as a base EAV amount. As property
values increase, all property tax growth above that
amount can be used to fund redevelopment projects
within the district. The increase, or increment, can be
used to pay back bonds issued to pay upfront costs, or
can be used on a pay-as-you-go basis for individual
projects. At the conclusion of the 23-year period, the
increase in revenue over the base amount is distributed
annually among the seven taxing bodies in the city that
are based on property values.
Objective
To help local companies expand and create
employment opportunities for Chicago residents.
Qualifications and Restrictions
TIF assistance for eleigible projects usually exceeds
$1 million. Participating companies and projects must
comply with all federal, state and local program
requirements.

3.5 - Industrial Corridor Modernization Initiative
The Department of Planning and Development (DPD)
initiated a public process in spring 2016 to refine land
use policies for continued growth and private
investment in the City’s Industrial Corridor system.
The multi-year process is incorporating
community-based goals, market data, infrastructure
assessments, financial planning, and other criteria into
framework plans that will guide future public and
private investments within each unique corridor.
The process and implementation of refinements are
being directed by DPD with assistance and input from
elected officials, businesses, property owners, local
planning agencies, and other stakeholders. The goals
of the City’s Industrial Corridor Modernization Initiative
are to unleash the potential of select industrial areas
for advanced manufacturing and technology-oriented
jobs while reinforcing traditional industrial activities in
other areas; maintain and improve the freight and
public transportation systems that serve industrial
users; support new job growth and local job
opportunities; and leverage the unique, physical
features of local industrial corridors to foster demand.
The City is assessing the planning needs of each of the
Industrial Corridors listed at left.
Following a year of public engagement and planning,
the North Branch Framework plan was adopted by the
Chicago Plan Commission in May 2017. The Framework
identifies new land use parameters, transportation
improvements and open space amenities for 760 acres
of land along the Chicago River between Kinzie Street
and Fullerton Avenue. An ordinance to begin
implementing the plan was approved by City Council in
July 2017.

3.5 - The North Branch Framework
The framework's three main goals are to:
- Maintain the corridor as an economic engine and vital job center
- Provide better access for all transportation modes
- Enhance the area’s unique natural and built environment
In July 2017, City Council approved an ordinance that acts as the initial step to implement the North Branch
Framework's multi-year goals to accommodate mixed-use business growth within the corridor while generating
funds for industrial and commercial development throughout the city. These policies include:
Re-zone of the northern and southern portions of the North Branch Corridor to accommodate the opportunity for
mixed-use development. The northern portion of the North Branch was changed mostly to Manufacturing (M) and the southern
portion was changed mostly to Downtown Service (DS). The new designations enable a dynamic mix of uses that were previously
prohibited by Planned Manufacturing District (PMD) zoning, which remain in the central portion of the corridor.
Create an Industrial Corridor System Fund that supports industrial projects throughout the city. The fund will be supported by
mandatory developer fees triggered by zoning changes from M or DS to a non-industrial classification.
Expand the City’s existing Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus system to the southern portion of the North Branch corridor.
The Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus system generates funding for West, Southwest and South side commercial development
projects, local infrastructure and designated City landmarks. Funds are created by voluntary payments from development projects
with Downtown (D) district zoning in exchange for increased density.
Create a North Branch Corridor Bonus system in the northern portion of the North Branch corridor. The North Branch Bonus
would enable developers to make voluntary payments in exchange for increased density for new development projects. Revenues
would be used to finance transit, open space and other public improvements within the North Branch and other industrial corridors.

3.5 - The North Branch Framework

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