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The transformation of the neighborhood doesn’t happen overnight. In Austin, the health of corridors like Chicago Avenue is vital to the community’s chance to sustain positive change.
As the main east / west thoroughfare connecting all major north / south thoroughfares, it has great promise of becoming a thriving business and entertainment district.
In 2013, Malcolm Crawford, executive director of the Austin African American Business Networking Association, worked with the Department of Planning and Development to create an initiative for a commercial growth zone called the Soul City Corridor. Since then, the 1.5 mile stretch of Chicago Avenue between Austin Boulevard and Cicero Avenues has grown into a center for commercial development and a celebration of African American food, culture, and the arts.
CATALYTIC INVESTMENT
Mayor Lori Lightfoot launched the INVEST South / West Strategy for Equitable Community Development in 2019, which focuses on promoting resources and advocacy for Austin and nine other areas traditionally overlooked by investment. The strategy reviewed community plans and feedback to compile a list of twelve key trade corridors in these communities that, if improved, would affect surrounding residents and businesses, as well as surrounding community areas. Chicago Avenue, from Kilpatrick Avenue to Austin Boulevard, was selected as the Austin priority corridor because of its history of being a center of activities, amenities and services for residents and the recent effort towards the Soul City Corridor. It’s on its way to be that hub again.
INVEST South / West took existing work and plans into account, and in Austin that meant Austin Forward too. Together. (AFT), the first community quality of life plan launched in 2019.
In addition to the thematic areas, AFT includes several focus projects that are specific geographic locations that would catalyze large-scale physical remediation projects and attract more investment and development across Austin. During the planning phase of AFT, an obvious stretch was the Chicago Avenue corridor.
LISC Chicago and Teska Associates partnered with Austin Coming Together (ACT) to lead the community through vision sessions to generate ideas while considering the built environment and building AFT. “It has been an important building in the neighborhood for generations. Its presence on the street is a symbol of what the street was and what Austin wants to make of it, ”said Jack Swenson, former LISC consultant and program director.
AUSTIN CHAMPIONS
Countless residents, foreigners and organizations have been working tirelessly for years to make this moment possible. Transforming such an eye-catching landmark as Laramie State Bank into a usable, safe space that is open to the community is an important part of Austin’s vision. It would mean recognizing the voice of the community as valuable and worthy.
From her travel agent on Chicago Avenue, longtime Austro-Hungarian Crystal Dyer often watches architectural tours stop at the bank on her way west to Oak Park. Just as she hopes travel will inspire the children she influences through her nonprofit Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventures, she hopes that Laramie State Bank’s international reputation as an architectural gem will inspire the Austinites to take pride in their history To be a church and to respect the assets that still stand today. Dyer was part of the steering committee that helped create the AFT Quality of Life Plan and recalls conversations about highlighting Chicago Avenue to give the corridor the second chance it deserves.
SIGN OF PROGRESS
The culmination of all of these efforts has opened up opportunities that are already having an impact. At the grand opening of the POPcourt! in June, an empty lot that was being turned into an outdoor space in Chicago and Lockwood, there was only standing room. With a mural of prominent black figures, shaded seating areas, a basketball court, and even gravel parking for food trucks, the colorful corner is a visual representation of the vibrancy of Austin and the growth to come. Over 20 projects are currently in various stages, including a cafe, restaurants, grocery store and a health club. In addition, improvements to the road landscape are planned and include a public discussion to get the community’s opinion on the individual elements.
Through the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), the city of Chicago continues to offer qualified development teams and non-profit organizations the opportunity to submit proposals for opportunity locations in the INVEST South / West districts. Laramie State Bank selected this development initiative for the call for proposals in spring 2021.
Even the start of construction will help the whole city see Austin for what it really is: full of history, culture and potential. The Laramie State Bank project is a reminder that Austin is on the right track – a path into a more prominent future.
Seven teams submitted proposals to develop the iconic banking site, and the Austin United Alliance was announced as a selected offer at a press conference in March. Austin United Alliance is a partnership between Heartland Housing and the Oak Park Regional Housing Center, which is managed by Athena Williams, a longtime Austin resident and AFT plan manager.
Many details of the project are still being worked out, but what cannot be denied is the importance of reactivating this important site. As the work progresses, it will be vital for community stakeholders to exercise their due diligence and hold the Austin United Alliance accountable to ensure that the benefits of the banking project meet the expectations and needs of the community.
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