For the last 10 months I've been working with a core
planning team looking at ways that this school closing problem can possibly be
shifted to an economic break through in Englewood. Back in September, this
discussion was in the hands of the school district which was recently shifted
to the city who created an Advisory Committee for School Repurposing and Community
Development. This council is charged with developing the process for
interested parties looking to purchase or reuse a vacant school building.
Englewood was one of the hardest hit neighborhoods in Chicago and although it
was devastating to have so many schools shuttered, this could serve as an
opportunity to put Englewood back on the map economically if it is a community
driven process.... Below is an excerpt from my white paper, please read
and send me your feedback!
Vacant Schools in Englewood Open Doors for Economic Growth
Opportunities - White Paper
"The Englewood community is currently on the losing end
of an economic war. Outside of having the highest unemployment rates in Chicago
and 40% of the population is living below the poverty level, this community was
recently hit with over 5 neighborhood schools being shuttered due to the
school’s district under-utilization factors. Due to the demographic makeup
of the community, Greater Englewood is unfortunately made up of many failing
schools, high crime, rapid foreclosures and increasingly high unemployment
rates.
|
|
 |
| Yale Elementary - 70th & Princeton - Shuttered in 2013 |
|
With these social ills plaguing the area it is essential for
residents to organize in order to work towards positive change and economic
vitality. This white paper will examine how a community like Englewood can
leverage institutional assets and human capital in order to repurpose a closed
school building to meet the immediate and long term economic needs of the
community."
To download the entire white paper link here.
