In March of 1968, Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. gave a powerful speech on "the other America" describing 2 separate and distinct American experiences: one for folks who were thriving, knocking at the doors of opportunity and plenty, and one for those shut out of the country's prosperity, plagued by "inadequate, substandard and often dilapidated housing conditions and substandard, inferior quality-less schools." He went on to describe what he saw as the only pathway to genuine equality: economic equality. He said, "For we know that it isn't enough to integrate lunch counters. What does it profit a man to be able to eat at an integrated lunch counter if he doesn't earn enough money to buy a hamburger and a cup of coffee?"
Yesterday during YWCA Metropolitan Chicago's annual meeting, CEO Dorri McWhorter announced a formal alliance with GRU and expressed her excitement of the infinite number of possibilities that are sure to come out of this union.
During his remarks, GRU's founder, Lamell McMorris spoke candidly about his connection to the neighborhood, his investment strategy and vision for creating a vibrant and prosperous community.
After an increase in public investment in Woodlawn, the private sector has also begun to see major business opportunities in the neighborhood.
“The new grocery store targeted for this community, which has long suffered disinvestment, follows the arrival last fall of major grocery chains in two similar communities: Englewood, which saw the historic opening of a new Whole Foods store at 63rd and Halsted, and Bronzeville, which saw Mariano’s open at Pershing Road and King Drive.”
“Woodlawn is a community on the rise, growing for the first time in decades, and experiencing a slight drop in crime. U.S. Census data showed Woodlawn outpacing its fancy neighbor, Hyde Park, in growth between 2010 and 2015.”
Qatari Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani was “scared to death” to visit Chicago. In 2012, the sheikh, with a net worth of $2.4B, was drawn to investment opportunities in Chicago real estate, but even from his home 7,000 miles away he grimaced when watching the news on television.
Like so many others, he was deeply troubled by vivid news reports on CNN and Sky News depicting tragic shootings of children and violent gang turf wars. Despite the blaring headlines — and later condemnations from then President-elect Donald Trump, who called the city a “war zone” — Al Thani did ultimately visit the Windy City.
And what he found was altogether surprising. While gun violence has certainly ballooned, the city has become a national leader in foreign investment into commercial real estate — to the tune of nearly $12.5B in the last five years.
In March of 1968, Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. gave a powerful speech on "the other America" describing 2 separate and distinct American experiences: one for folks who were thriving, knocking at the doors of opportunity and plenty, and one for those shut out of the country's prosperity, plagued by "inadequate, substandard and often dilapidated housing conditions and substandard, inferior quality-less schools." He went on to describe what he saw as the only pathway to genuine equality: economic equality. He said, "For we know that it isn't enough to integrate lunch counters. What does it profit a man to be able to eat at an integrated lunch counter if he doesn't earn enough money to buy a hamburger and a cup of coffee?"
The CTA’s new Green Line station is a catalyst for new development in Woodlawn.
“As the south side community of Woodlawn watches its housing market heat up as the neighborhood prepares to welcome the highly anticipated Obama Presidential Center, a new mixed-use project is ready to dig in at 6253 S. Cottage Grove Avenue.”
As the University of Chicago invests in the neighborhoods surrounding the campus, Woodlawn has seen an influx of young Black residents that see value in a once-dying community.
“Woodlawn is growing for the first time in more than 15 years and is now outpacing Hyde Park as young African-American families return to the neighborhood.”
The Trianon Lofts are market-rate rentals being developed in Woodlawn to expand housing options for lower-middle class Chicagoans.
“...the involvement and partnership of neighborhood organizations, government agencies, financial and educational institutions, civic leaders, developers and the community. Woodlawn is a perfect example of how distressed urban neighborhoods can be re-designed to become communities of choice”
