A coalition of Woodlawn community activists Thursday tried to turn the spotlight on the Daley administration’s favorite redevelopment tool: tax increment financing.
The group, calling itself the East 63rd Street L Coalition, learned recently that the city is studying their area as a possible TIF district. And they want in on the discussions.
“The city is not making an effort to involve the local residents and property owners in the planning that will affect us,” said Samirah Albakri, a coalition member and property owner.
But city officials said there is no proposal yet for a Woodlawn TIF district, only a study to determine whether such a district is possible.
There is a preliminary survey going on, looking at the conditions of the buildings and other factors, said Greg Longhini, spokesman for the Chicago Department of Planning and Development. “It’s not a TIF. It’s not even a proposed TIF.”
At a Thursday morning news conference in City Hall, the Woodlawn coalition called on Mayor Richard Daley “to demonstrate good faith by immediately including local residents and organizations in TIF planning.” They demanded the establishment of a local planning board with representatives from the coalition to monitor any TIF projects.
Longhini said community residents “are going to have input,” but that the city wouldn’t respond to demands made at a news conference.
The activists insisted they’re not opposed to a TIF district, which would use property taxes generated by redevelopment to help pay for infrastructure and other improvements.
“We have no problem with the TIF taking place. It could be a very positive thing for the Woodlawn area,” Albakri said. “Our primary concern is that we want to be involved in the redevelopment of our neighborhood.”
A longtime concern of some Woodlawn residents has been the city’s plans to tear down the 63rd Street branch of the Chicago Transit Authority’s Green Line.
The federal government has said it will not finance razing of the elevated train line, and the Woodlawn activists fear that the city could use money from a potential TIF to do it.
