July 29, 2016

Mayor Emanuel, Aldermen To Convene Group To Coordinate Economic Development In Neighborhoods Around Obama Presidential Center

Advisory group will solicit community feedback, ensure South Side investments are targeted and coordinated to achieve maximum impactAdvisory group will solicit community feedback, ensure South Side investments are targeted and coordinated to achieve maximum impact

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Aldermen Leslie Hairston (5th Ward), Willie Cochran (20th Ward), Pat Dowell (3rd Ward) and Sophia King (4th Ward) today announced that they will convene a group of stakeholders on the South Side of Chicago to create a forum for coordination, collaboration and community engagement in economic development efforts in the neighborhoods surrounding the site of the future Obama Presidential Center.

“The Obama Presidential Center, when complete, will offer tremendous educational, cultural and economic benefits to the City and its residents, and it is important that community members be part of the process of investment and development in the South Side of Chicago,” said Mayor Emanuel. “I look forward to working with the South Side Aldermen and other community leaders to identify critical stakeholders who will work to ensure that economic development in the neighborhoods around the Center include local feedback and expertise to maximize the positive impact on area communities and residents.”

 One of the first actions of the group will be to research and identify national and international best practices for organizational structures and development activities in other cities and regions that may be applicable to the unique neighborhoods surrounding the Obama Presidential Center.

The advisory group will include residents, individuals from community organizations that work in the South Side neighborhoods surrounding the Obama Presidential Center and representatives from the University of Chicago, the Obama Foundation, the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District.

 

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Advisory group will solicit community feedback, ensure South Side investments 
are targeted and coordinated to achieve maximum impact