After School Matters was awarded a $5 million grant from the city to renovate a former commercial space and school into a $26 million youth center in the Cabrini Green neighborhood (27th ward) using a combination of public and private funding.
Good afternoon all!
My name is Kenji Granberry and I’ll be covering today’s meeting Community Development Commission meeting of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development for @chidocumenters.bsky.social.
01:08 PM Jul 8, 2025 CDT
Roll is called at 1:05pm and quorum is established. Chair Hatten Butler opens the floor for public comment and George Blakemore is the first to speak.
He spends his time advocating for more jobs for young Black residents and making recommendations for the Commission.
Secretary Chan McKibben joins the meeting ahead of the approval of the minutes. The minutes are approved by quorum with Cmsr. Zayas Abstaining.
Here’s the agenda for today’s meeting:
Jeffery Cohen presents the first redevelopment project along the 1700 block of West Pershing.
He highlights that it has the support of Ald Ramirez (12) and notes that 30% of the requested TIF funds (~$30M) would be dispersed at 30% and 60% completion with the remaining 40% dispersed in installments
The remaining 40% would be dispersed based on the ability to fully lease the AROs and retail spaces in a staggered fashion, as well as the ability to secure a certificate for project completion.
Cmsrs Thomas and Johnson ask about the projects retail requirements and intentions to support local businesses.
The Developer, Greg Pachucki, says that the intention would be that it meets local needs as well as the city’s M/WBE requirements.
Chair Hatten Butler asks a few questions to confirm the manager of the project and the Developer, Greg Pachucki, says that he would be responsible for “anything that goes wrong.”
The Chair calls the item to a vote at 1:42pm to advance the redevelopment and it passes with no objections.
The next project for consideration is proposed by After School Matters and the proposal is read by Michael Carey.
Carey notes that the project will renovate ~3600 sq ft. and provide ~150 construction jobs with dozens of full-time and part-time positions.
Additional benefits are noted below:
After School Matters recently was awarded a $5 million grant from the city. They will use a combination of public and private funding to complete the project.
More information on the secured funding can be found here:
Vice Chair Thomas asks how old the TIF is and when it ends and Carey says that funds became accessible in 2017 and will end in 2033.
Brendan DuBois, Chief Financial Officer of ASM, speaks to highlight that the project aims to build skills in the trades and culinary arts and advance STEM knowledge.
During a moment of brief agitation and confusion, Mr. Blakemore can be overheard shouting.
Recognizing that he had input on the agenda item, Chair Hatten Butler opens the space for public comment and asks that his microphone be turned up.
In his public comments Mr. Blakemore voices his frustration that many of the people who would benefit from the After School Matters Teen Center have already been pushed out of the neighborhood.
He is wary and skeptical of Ald Burnett’s choice to leave government and involve themselves in housing.
Chair Hatten Butler moves to call the redevelopment project forward for a vote at 1:55pm and it passes without opposition.
The next item is presented by DPD’s Vonetta Jones and is being put together by The Renaissance Collaborative.
Jones highlights that the project goal is to create an intergenerational village between seniors, young people, and those in need of transitional housing.
The project requests $13M in TIFs
Following the breakdown, Cmsr. Buford asks whether the project will return more than $70K annually and Jones confirms that that isn’t anticipated.
Oji Eggleston, TRC’s Executive Director, rises to speak to resident supports, particularly those who’ve been homeless.
Chair Hatten Butler moves to pass the item. The sole objection to the project comes from Cmsr. Curtis.
The fourth redevelopment project is presented by Rameez Bhimji for a project located in Humboldt Park and supported by Ald. Jesse Fuentes.
Similar questions are asked about the project’s financials by Cmsr. Curtis, specifically around how it will pay for its property taxes.
A man who announces himself as Assistant Commissioner with the Department of Housing responds to Cmsr. Curtis to note that the property is owned and likely on existing tax rolls, saying that the developer will more than likely seek a charitable tax exemption.
Chair Hatten Butler calls the redevelopment proposal forward for a vote and again Cmsr. Curtis is the sole vote in opposition.
The next project under consideration is one that would allow the Department of Housing (DOH) redevelopment authority for the Homan Square Apartments VI and is presented by DPD’s Amicie Clayton.
Clayton lists the TIF request at just under ~$10M and in Q&A it’s noted that the TIF was created in 1998.
There’s a question about who would own the land following redevelopment and it’s cleared up that the owners would be two non-profits, Foundation for Homan Square and another. This seems to allay some concerns that the land would revert to private hands.
Chair Hatten Butler brings the item up for a vote at 2:57pm following this additional clarity and Cmsr. Milsap chooses to abstain. His is the only abstention and there are no objections. The motion to grant redevelopment authority to DOH carries.
The Chair moves to adjourn and the motion carries.
That’s all for today, folks! The next meeting of @chicagodpd.bsky.social‘s Community Development Commission will meet Tuesday, August 12th, 2025, at 1pm.
Hope to see you there and don’t forget to check out all things @documenters.org in the meantime. Take care!
