Curtis Rodgers Plan For Urban Renewal Cogic S.E.E.D.

CRDDC's Strategic Plan for bringing technical and entreprenuership training, job skills training, business support services and distribution skills development to Chicago's West Side communities

Project Goals / Vision
The Chetwyn Rodgers Drive Developement Committee's (CRDDC) vision and mission is to break the cycle of poverty and dependency that is at the core of a great spiritual discinnect, by empowering people to become economically self-sufficient through entreprenuership, job training and job skills development, through a collaboration between church, business, residents, city, state, federal, philanthropic and social service providers.

The vision for the CRDDC community includes:

• New business developement and job creation activities directed toward the Madison (Chetwyn Rodgers Drive) / Cicero Commercial Corridor Program.


• Development of senior housing


• Strengthening of social services network for battered women and children


• Development of construtive programming for the ex-offender


• Major infrastructure improvements (sewers, streets, sidewalks, etc.


• Opening of a Chicago Public Library Branch.


• Development of additional affordable housing.


• Rehabilitation of neighborhood elementary schools, both structurally and academically.


• The acquisition of Brach's Candy Complex for the construction and relocation of the church to make way for the Madison / Cicero Chetwyn Rodgers Drive Shopping Center for the development of CRDDC Office & Retail


• Brach's Candy Complex:


• Child Activity Center


• Small Business Offices


• Senior Activity Center


• Conference Center / Banquet Hall


• Ware House & Training Facility


• Manufacturing & Development Facility


• Technology Center / Computer Building & Lab


• Neighborhood residents rehabbing their homes and apartments, purchasing adjacent vacant lots and structures, creating community gardens, block clubs, block club watches and increasing their participation in the city CAPS.


• Creating partnerships and working collaboratively with others in the community.


• Strengthening local chambers of commerce initiatives.

Description

The CRDDC will serve as an anchor to the Madison (Chetwyn Rodgers Drive) / Cicero Commercial Corridor revitalization and redevelopment project (project boundaries are Lake street on the north, Harrison Street on the south, Laramie Street on the west, and Kostner avenue on the east). In addition to providing training and assistance for entreprenuers in the areas of merchandise distribution, manufacturing, financing, retail sales and management, it will also provide incubator space for the development of businesses that will be spun off and located along the Madison (Chetwyn Rodgers Drive) / Cicero Commercial Corridor. Other aspects of the revitalization and redevelopment activities include assisting other merchants with stores in the corridor with the development and implementation of rehabilitation and / or revitalization plans for their respective businesses, homes and apartments, adjacent vacant lots and structures.

Competitive Analysis

The community that CRDDC is located in is considered one of the city's best for living and doing business in. Located in East Austin, the center will serve as the hub of a vibrant, livable and sustainable community. There are several community and faith-based organizations in the area that have community development agendas that include daycare, housing, recreation and business development. In addition, the target area is served by two chambers of commerce.

Competitors:

To the east of it are Malcolm x Learning Center and the Allison Foundation for Better Living (AFBL), a faith-based community organization that provides GED preparation, Literacy programmimg, job training services, job readiness and placement services. There is also a Charter School located in the AFBL facility. Directly east of CRDDC is the Home of Life Community Development Organization, a faith-based community organization whose focus is affordable housing and youth programming. It has recently built a new church and community center in the area, and is planning the construction of a youth center to be located nearby. To the south of CRDDC is the Chicago Park Districts Moore Park. The residential community that surrounds the CRDDC consists primarily of owner occupied two-flat single-family homes, with a smattering of medium sized multi-family unit structures. The West Side Planning and Development Organization, another faith-based organization is located directly west of CRDDC. This organization specializes in daycare services.

CRDDC views all agencies as community stakeholders and therefore potential collaborators, partners and resources.

Technology:

The CRDDC Computer Training Center Consists of fourteen internet accessible IBM personal computers, printers and various educational and business software.

Team/Resources

CRDDC's Entreprenuership Training Project Development Team consist of several organizations and individuals. They include:

1. Chetwyn Rodgers Drive Development Comittee Center


2. Chetwyn Rodgers Faith Memorial COGIC


3. Blueprint For Life


4. Dess Secretarial


5. UPI/Compak


6. IBM


7. Mid-Austin Chamber Of Commerce

In addition to the team, the project has receive support and resources from Illinois State Senator Kimberly Lightford (5th IL. Legislative District), State Representative Calvin Gilies (8th District,Il), Congressman Danny K.Davis (7th CD,Il), 28 Ward Aldernan Ed.H.Smith, the cook county Sheriff's Department and numerous individuals.

Procedures:

The CRDDC Entreprenuer Training Center will open in April 2004. It will lease retail, distribution, training, meeting and office space at a rate ranging from $24.00 to $30.00 a square foot. The center will be operated and managed by CRDDC. It is anticipated the site will open with Pam Cook's Day Care Service occupying the entire nouth side of the buildind: Jim Johnson's UPI Distribution Company Occupying the entire south side of the building. And CRDDC, along with Dess Secretarial and Time Savers Secretarial Services occupying the entire middle section of the building, where it will house its offices and operate the center's general merchandise retail store, computer center, training programs and conference center.

Schedule:

Jan. 2004-Feb. 2004 ..........Feb. 04-March 04..........March 2004-June04

Draft Ttraining Center Refine Training Center Finalize Implementation

Occupancy Guidelines & Occupancy Guidelines Strategy

Recommendations

Develope Marketing Plan Draft Sign Leases Training Center Opens

Finalize Marketing Plan Public Open House

Submit WIA Proposals

Submit Federal Proposals Submit CDBG Proposals

Draw Up Leases

Current Status

The center is currently undergoing the final stages of construction. The project is still on schedule for an April opening. The anticipated center occupants and CRDDC program managers are in space and lease negotiations. Program proposals and legislative agendas are being prepared for established submission dates.

Related Documents

Draft is being prepared

Budget:

• 2 Million Planning & RD


• 6 Million for Restoration of Historic Buldings


• 2.9 Million for Construction of Shopping Complex / Church Building & Youth Center


• 4 Million for Demolition & Improvements


• 19 Million for Acquisition & Location


• 4 Million for Program Development


• 3 Million for Administration, Legal Consultation

Madison Avenue / Chetwyn Rodgers Drive Development Project:

Gladys to

Lamon to Kilpatrick

• Revenue


• Grants


• Federal


• State


• County


• City


• Committees


• Consortium Planning & Area Tenants


• Fundraising