@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The meeting has been called to order. The first agenda items are a roll call and a motion to approve the minutes from the Nov. 14 meeting in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The motion to approve the minutes was approved unanimously.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Agenda 1: CDOT is requesting to acquire all or part of several properties located in the proposed right-of-way for Archer Avenue from just west of S. Knox Avenue to just east of S. Kolmar Avenue in the Midway Industrial Corridor Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Project Area.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Project location is just east of Cicero Ave. It is in the community areas of Garfield Ridge and Archer Heights.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters No city funds will be used for this project. All funds are federal and state funds.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The goals of this project is to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and improve safety for pedestrians and drivers at the intersection.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The project would make it so Archer Ave. would now run under the railroad. Here's a picture from the presentation:

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters If CDOT does obtain the property, no residents will be relocated. CDOT is currently in the appraisal phase of the land acquisition process.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Here's a map of the parcels CDOT will need to acquire. The red parcels are needed permanently and the yellow parcels will only be needed during construction.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The construction phase of the project will likely take place from the middle of 2025 to the end of 2026.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The Alderman for the ward has written support for the project.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters No members of the public wished to make public comment.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Agenda item #1 has been moved to a vote.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The motion has passed unanimously. Onto the next.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Agenda #2: CDOT is looking to acquire part of the property located at 1542 W. 47th Street and 4650 & 4668 S. Ashland Avenue in the 47th/Ashland Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Project Area.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Lubica Benak of CDOT is presenting now on the project. CDOT is looking to acquire two properties in New City. Here's a map of the project:

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Project goals: to improve infrastructure, pedestrian safety, new traffic signals, lane reconfiguration. The project focuses on the 47th and Ashland intersection.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The project will also created official, needed public space in the community.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Relocation will not be necessary. Properties effected are the Walgreens and the Fifth Third Bank at the intersection. CDOT is looking to acquire small parts of each parcel. No TIF funds are being used for the project.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Construction will likely last from the middle of 2024 to the end of 2025.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Ald. Lopez (Ward 15) supports the project.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The parts of the parcels being acquired are parking lot space and sidewalk space.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters No members of the public wish to speak on this item. The item is being called to a vote.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The agenda item was passed unanimously.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Agenda #3: A request for the Department of Planning and Development’s intention to enter into a negotiated sale with K Town Business Centre 2, LLC., for the disposition of the property located at 4704-38 W Fifth Avenue, in the Roosevelt/Cicero TIF Redevelopment Project Area.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Ernest Bellamy of the DPD is presenting on the matter. There are 11 parcels up for disposition in the Austin community area. Here's some basic information on the parcels:

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Ald. Scott (Ward 24) supports the project.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The parcels are in an industrial area, and the parcels will become a parking lot for the adjacent building currently under construction.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The developers already own a parcel next to these 11, so the parking lot would be 12 parcels.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters According to Ald. Burnett (Ward 27) who supports the project, the parking lot will be for a Black-owned lighting business that hires community members and formerly incarcerated people.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The lights are used across the city for buildings, street lights and more.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The building being built currently will serve mainly as a distribution hub and will provide new jobs to community members.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters No members of the public will speak on the item. The item will now move to a vote.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The item has passed unanimously.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Agenda #4: Request authority to advertise the DPD intention to enter into a negotiated sale with 345 Art Gallery, LLC. for the disposition of property located at 355 N Kedzie Avenue in the Kinzie Industrial Corridor Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Project Area.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The goal for the parcel is to create an outdoor entertainment and art space that includes a sculpture in the East Garfield Park community area.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Here is some basic information on the project:

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters It will be an additional part of the 345 Art Gallery, which is used as a gallery and event venue.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Due to the proximity to the Metra, Metra will gain some of the property as well.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Ald. Burnett (Ward 27) supports the project. Burnett knows the former officer who owns the gallery well, and says the gallery has become a hub in the community. "It's safe, it's clean, and he's done a good job with it."

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Burnett said they have been trying to gain use of the vacant lot next to it. Officer Corey Williams is the owner of the gallery.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters There were no further questions from member of the commission or public comment. The item is now being moved to a vote.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The item passed unanimously.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Agenda #5: Request authority for DPD's intention to enter into a land sale with Ramona James, for the disposition of the property located at 10744 S. Eggleston Avenue in the 107th/Halsted TIF Redevelopment Project Area, and to approve the sale of the property to Ramona James.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Meg Gustafson of the DPD is speaking on the item.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The land sales are for open space. The sale of 10744 S. Eggleston is in the Roseland area and approved by the alderman. James lives one block away and plans to do a garden at the lot. She plans to sell and give food to the community.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Ald. Mosley (Ward 21) is in support of the project.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters This is a ChiBlockBuilder project. Here is more information on the project: chicago.gov/city/en/sites/…

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Applicants can buy the properties for 10 percent of the value and must own it for five years. If the lot is not adjacent to a property already owned by the applicant, they must fence it within a year.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters ChiBlockBuilder land use: housing, side yard, development projects, open space, urban agriculture.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The item is being called to a vote after no public comment.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The item has passed unanimously.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Agenda #6: Request authority for DPD's intention to enter into a land sale with Ethel Louis, for the disposition of the property located at 11706 S. Sangamon Street in the 119th Street/I-57 TIF Redevelopment Project Area, and to approve the sale of the property to Ethel Louis.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Meg Gustafson is speaking on the project.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters This is in the West Pullman area, and Ald. Mosley (Ward 21) approves of the project. Here's an overview on the purchase:

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Louis is in attendance and plans to build a garden

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters This is also a ChiBlockBuilders project. Louis lives about a ten minute walk from the lot in the community area.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters Ethel Louis is now speaking on the item. Her family has a 60+ year history in the neighborhood. She has connections to the neighborhood churches and hos helped start gardens already.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The garden will also be a community workshop space that teaches about sustainability as a part of Louis and her partner's non-profit.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The item will now be moved to a vote.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters The item has passed unanimously.

@city_bureau @CHIdocumenters That was the final item of the Dec. 12 meeting of the CDC. The meeting has adjourned.