Community gardens proposed for two West Side sites

October 6, 2010

Peter Strazzabosco    312.744-9267

Financing proposals introduced to City Council today by Mayor Richard M. Daley would secure a pair of West Side community garden sites for long-term public use.

Jelly Bean Garden, at 2125 W. Adams St., would receive $40,000 in water access improvements in advance of being sold to the NeighborSpace land trust, which would provide liability insurance for its beautification and upkeep by neighbors. The improvements would be paid for with Open Space Impact Fees. The proposed sale price for the 2,350-square-foot site is $1.

Ujima Garden, at 545 N. Central Park Ave., would receive $100,000 in environmental cleanup assistance, new growing beds, a compost bin and a storage shed. Once complete, the 5,900-square-foot site would be maintained by neighborhood residents.

"Both of these sites offer neighbors the opportunity to work together toward a common cause, the beautification of their community," said Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Open Space Impact Fees are collected by the City of Chicago from new residential developments to help expand the amount of open space in each of the city's 77 community areas.

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