# Austin United Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 9.10.26

- Date: September 10, 2026
- Type: Video
- Length: 54:39
- Topic: Openings and groundbreakings
- Video: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbCFEHL8KYg)
- Transcript: Machine transcription, 6,900 words ([text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/youtube/bbCFEHL8KYg.txt))
- Mayor: [Brandon Johnson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor)

## Description

Mayor Brandon Johnson attends the Austin United Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

## Transcript

[1:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=76) To Soul City. Y'all clap it up. I love you, too. Look, I say it all the time. And sometimes people don't want me to say it. But if we can have Greek town, Chinatown, Boys Town and Little Italy and the Ukrainian village, then we can have what? All right. I appreciate that. And I just want to say just quickly about Miss Athena Williams.

[1:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=108) Look, look, when she started this, I guarantee you she didn't know what she was getting herself into. And I remember back then and the RFP was put out and everybody was doing what they were doing. And Athena came along at the ninth hour and showed up and showed out. And now we're here. And look at this building. Look at this building. And I give her all the kudos because she stayed the course no matter what.

[2:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=139) And she had to go through a lot with a lot of us, but she stayed the course, hung in there. And then she told me, she said, Malcolm, look at the building. She said, it's red, black, and green. She said, you know I ain't playing. I said, go ahead on, Athena. Go ahead on. So next we got coming up is the one and only Miss Phyllis Logan. Y'all give her a hand.

[2:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=171) Good morning. Good morning. I'm here to just congratulate Athena as a friend, as a business associate, being a part of the West Side of Chicago. Athena has done so many great things. I've watched her grow, I do believe so. But she's done amazing things. I'm so glad that she's in the space that she's in right now. Being a part of the Oak Park Regional Housing, which I should know, I watched her grow through that establishment. And for them to spread their wings to the western suburbs as well as the west side of Chicago is amazing

[3:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=206) because the service is needed. And I'm hoping that this building is filled with families with potentials to help their kids grow up and be inspired by what's in their neighborhood, Not what's across the street, around the corner, but we've got some facilities here that our babies can appreciate when they're driving up and down. And they'll look at this all the time because you know they're going to McDonald's, right? But Athena's been a good friend, a good associate for the neighborhood,

[3:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=239) and I'm looking and expecting more structures like these throughout the West Side and the West Suburban communities. Thank you. I forgot I was supposed to introduce her. Introducing my friend for the West Side, Ms. Athena Williams.

[4:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=270) Thank you all. We can do better than that. And this is West Side's very own. Thank you all. Thank you all. So we're going to keep this moving because we have a little tight schedule here. I am so excited to see everybody here. Thank you all so much for coming out today to share this moment. This is not about Athena. This is not about Oak Park Regional Housing Center. This is definitely about the Austin community. So will all my Austin neighbors raise their hand.

[5:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=304) So I want to just say thank you for letting us get this far through. There's a lot of thanks we want to put out today. So I want to do a shout-out to, let's start with Valerio DeWalt Train. So where are my architects? My architects in the room. Let's hear it for our architects. It's Catherine here with Layton Design. It's Catherine here from Layton Design. Layton Design has done all. Nicholas is here. Hey, Nicholas. Everybody give it up for Nicholas. This project has been through a lot. I'm sure many of y'all have followed everything this project has been through, but we have to give it up for our Burling team.

[5:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=339) Our Burling team is back there on the wall. Let's give it up for our Burling team. Let's give it up for the community again, especially 15th District. 15th District has been working closely with us. And then I'm going to also give a shout-out to all of our other partners. Wells Fargo has been a great partner to us. We've got some Chase partners in the house. We've got Old National Bank in the house. Those are some of our partners that really work with us. We've got Ms. Winona Redman from Win-Win Communications here with us today. So I just want to say thank you.

[6:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=369) That's what I'm here for. Before I introduce my partner, I didn't get into it, but this would not have happened if I did not have my partner with Pivotal Housing Partners. So I need the whole Pivotal team to stand up. Some people are standing up. But Pivotal, raise your hand. Stand up and or raise your hand. But before Willis come up, I'm going to ask Pastor Apteen to come up to give us a little blessing real fast I can't do things without talking to Pastor Apteen He passes the holy water over me all the time

[6:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=405) Some days I use all the water up on Mathena But we are so proud of her today, amen Come on, let's give her a great big hand I'd like to give the invocation at this time If we could just bow our heads Almighty and gracious God, today we pause to give you thanks for this special moment and for this vision that has brought us here together. We stand here not simply to cut a ribbon, but to celebrate new beginnings, new opportunities,

[7:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=438) and a promise for a greater future. We thank you for the Laramie State Bank Project, for the visionaries who dreamt it, the hands who built it, the leaders who supported it, and the many people whose dedication made this day possible. Lord, we ask that you bless every home represented here today. May this complex become more than a building, and may it become homes filled with love, families filled with hope, and lives filled with possibilities.

[7:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=470) Let this development be a blessing to the entire community. May it bring community enhancement, renewed pride, stronger neighborhoods, and deeper connections among neighbors. It may be a place where children grow, families flourish, friendships are formed, and dreams have room to become reality. We pray for safety and protection over every resident, every family, every worker, every visitor. Watch over these homes and these streets.

[8:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=503) Let peace prevail here and let the community be known as a place where people can live, Work, raise families, and rest without fear. Father, we pray for economic growth and opportunity. Let this project be a catalyst to continue prosperity. May it strengthen business, create opportunities, encourage investment, and help build a foundation for generations yet to come. Where there is uncertainty, bring hope. Where there is division, bring unity.

[8:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=535) Where there is hardship, bring opportunity. where there is fear bring peace and whoever whatever people gather let love be the foundation lord today we love you and may this laramie bank uh state bank project stand as a symbol of what can happen when people come together with vision determination faith and commitment to something greater than themselves we pray this in jesus name amen thank you athena

[9:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=570) A couple of more things. City Treasurer, Melissa Conyers-Urvin, please come up and have a seat with us, please. And then, so this project had a lot of moving parts. We do have an arts committee. We have a lot of our arts people here today. When I call your name or any arts people, please go to that, the tape window. We have a dedication today. Is Congressman Davis here? Did he make it here yet? Okay.

[10:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=602) So, as we all know, Congressman Davis is retiring, we have a dedication to him, so I'm going to call the artists, we have an arts and culture committee for the west side, that's Ken Cook, that's John, that's Khalees Stewart, if you all can head to the window and grab one of those papers there. We also have working in the building Sarah Markey, Sonia Henderson, Summer Coleman, Pugs, if you're here, W.D. Floyd, Ken, Mike, Dorian, Slang. Slang is bad, y'all. Jahari, Candace, Jamiah, Felipe, and Janice, please go there.

[10:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=634) We're going to let them pull the paper down so you all can see our dedication to Congressman Davis. It's awesome. This is something for him, for the community to share in. That room is dedicated to him. On the count of three, let's go, arts people. Come on, let's get those papers down, arts people. We've got to keep it moving. Let's go, let's go, let's go. We're working with arts people, people. One, two, three, go.

[11:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=669) And that cling actually reps around to the Chicago Avenue side. So this is going to be the beginning of this project, actually bringing education into the community. This was curated by Ms. Janice Bine. Raise your hand, Janice. and the Chicago Public Arts Group. I see Catherine Darnstadt just walked in from Layton Design. I'm going to get off the mic. Come on over here, Willis. Good morning, everyone.

[11:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=701) On behalf of Pivotal Housing Partners, I want to say how excited we are to celebrate this incredible milestone. It represents Pivotal's second community-driven housing project in the city of Chicago and one of over 120 properties in 17 states. But more than anything, this property represents our delivering on our mission, to create high-quality housing, investing for the long term, and working with great local partners, not just like Athena, but like everyone in the Austin community, to bring projects to fruition.

[12:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=734) A project like this only happens because a lot of people and organizations come together around a shared vision. I want to thank not just the folks that were on the design team, including OPARC team, myself, the rest of the Pivotal team, but also Chase Bank, Sineer Investments, CPC Capital, Valerio DeWalt Train Architects, and Burling Builders, tongue twister, for being such tremendous partners. I also want to recognize the extraordinary public support that we got from the city of Chicago,

[12:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=768) including the mayor's office, the Department of Housing, the Department of Planning and Development, Alder Emomitz, the Cook County Land Bank, the State of Illinois, and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. On a personal note, as a sixth-generation Chicagoan, it's especially meaningful to see this level of investment in an incredible community with such a rich history. I also want to personally thank Athena Williams and the Oak Park Regional Housing Center for their vision, leadership, and commitment to Austin.

[13:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=798) We believe this project will be a catalyst for continued investment and development along the Seoul City Corridor, and we will soon have residents moving in to make this their home. Thank you very much. Thank you, and good morning, everyone. Welcome to Austin, the home of the city's mayor, Brandon Johnson. Did you walk here, mayor? Uh-oh, there he is. Congressman Danny K. Davis.

[14:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=840) They took my picture down and put yours up. Congressman, before you, did you see yourself right there? I did see a likeness. Well, thank you very much. I'm so happy to be here. And I was with the mayor yesterday. It seems like everywhere I turn, the mayor is developing the west and south sides of Chicago.

[14:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=878) And that is amazing. And I see Boatwright, now she's got on her bold blue suit here on the west side, making sure that we do what people on this side of town need, and that is to build houses. But let me say, the Soul City Corridor, AAA B&A, led by Malcolm... When no one really focused and believed in Chicago Avenue, Malcolm did.

[15:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=909) And he made sure that he got on people's nerves, he offended people, and he did all the things that he needed to do to make sure that Soul City became a destination that it is today. So Malcolm continued to aggravate people, get on their nerves, and offend them so that we could continue to build on the west side of Chicago. And Athena, you know, this didn't come because Athena snapped her fingers and pulled everyone together.

[15:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=941) Athena actually had to deal with opposition, but she stayed the course. She stayed focused because when you see this, you think that everyone would be for it because Chicago and America needs housing. But there were people that didn't think that we needed housing here. But Athena stayed focused. And I thank you for that, Athena. And when we think about this area where I grew up, where I actually lived at the 800 block of LeClaire, my mother still lives there.

[16:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=974) This building right here increases property values for my mother's house that she brought in 1974. because this vacant lot that was a brownfield is now a place where people live. And I see Darren Tillis here. The people that have high insurance, you know, I'm not going to say State Farm charge a lot, but I'm going to tell you right now, your insurance will go down when you have developments in the neighborhood.

[16:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1007) And this is not only good for property values, insurance values, but housing is also health care. And so this is good for the health of our community. So, Athena, thank you very much, and thank you to all the partners for doing this. And, Mr. Mayor, I have to tell you, we can never be satisfied. You're doing great, but don't stop now. I heard you took my seat.

[17:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1038) Well, you took his. All right. All right. So good morning, Austin community. Good morning. Good morning. My name is Jessica Caffrey and I am the executive director of the Cook County Land Bank. I want to first recognize everyone who's here. Mayor Johnson, City Treasurer Melissa Conyers Irving, Alderman Mitt, Representative Ford, four months before congressmen, for their leadership, the Sierra Boatwright, Commissioner of the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development,

[17:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1074) Lissette Casanaga, Commissioner of the Department of Housing, and the Assessor, Fritz Keggy. I know I saw you over there somewhere. All right, welcome. Thank you, everyone here today who came here today to make this possible. So the Austin United Alliance team, the Oak Park Regional Housing Council, and our partners at the city, Department of Planning and Development and Department of Housing and the Build Better

[18:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1104) Together program. Like all developments, this one has a story to tell. Right here next to this old bank building sat four vacant lots and they sat empty for years. They were tax delinquent and nothing was happening. They had racked up years of back taxes that made potential buyers question whether it was worth the investment but that's what the land bank does and that's why we exist we take properties that everyone else has written off not worth it and we make them a great investment

[18:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1139) for the community and look we've gotten built as a result 78 homes with a beautiful rooftop deck and a courtyard and soon to be this old landmark building from 1929 will both become now jewels of this community. It is an example of what happens when partners work together. And I always like to say, it all starts with the land. So I want to thank everyone here today and say congratulations to everyone who played a part in making this day happen. Because echoing what Representative Forrest

[19:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1173) said, this doesn't happen overnight. We purchased the parcels in 2022. It's 2026. So thank you, Alderman Mitz for your commitment because this takes commitment and dedication and Athena to making this happen. Congratulations to all and big congratulations to the Austin community. Thank you so much. Good morning everyone. I am definitely taller than this microphone. It is such an honor to be here

[20:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1207) on this morning as a resident of Austin. I would say I was raised in Austin. I guess I'm currently a resident of Garfield Park, but still as a resident of the west side of Chicago, we are certainly proud of the partnerships that came together to make this happen. When I was sitting in my seat a moment ago, I was looking around the room, I see clergy, I see leaders, as far as business leaders, developers, I even see partners from different banking institutions

[20:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1239) that are here today. And it really reminded me, as well as all of the elected officials that are here, it reminded me of the power that we have when we work together. There There are so many instances where our community is trying to be divided. But when you look around the mighty power in this room, I am encouraged this morning, of course with Austin United Alliance, and I certainly want to give it up for this powerful

[21:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1270) young black woman, Athena. And I like to give credit where credit is due because so many times in our community we are taught to not taunt ourselves or not, you know, be pompous. But that's not pompous when it's a fact. It's a fact of the work that Athena and the entire team has done to make this project happen. So as a black woman from the west side of Chicago, I say congratulations to the entire team.

[21:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1306) And certainly as the treasurer of the city of Chicago coming from Austin, It did my heart well as treasurer to sit on the Community Development Fund with the next speaker, Commissioner Boatwright. And I was very excited to cast my vote in support of the funding that we provided to this establishment on today. So thank you, Mr. Mayor. He cuts a lot of ribbons on the west and south sides. But oh, you know, we're proud of the west and south sides. But let's be clear that he cuts ribbons all throughout the city of Chicago.

[22:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1339) So we thank him for what he does and his service, and at this moment, I'll bring up our Commissioner Boatwright. Good morning. What a great day for Chicago Avenue. I want to use my brief time to share some background on the community-led efforts that helped bring us together today. It started where virtually all successful community-led efforts began with the community meeting. It was January 2020, and more than 600 people gathered to help identify the most catalytic investment locations along Chicago Avenue.

[22:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1378) They talked to DPD, to DOH, and to other public agencies that asked which site on Chicago Avenue holds the key to the corridor's future. The consensus was overwhelming. The best spot was the corner of Chicago and Laramie that includes the landmark Laramie State Bank building and seven underutilized lots to its west. By September of 2020, DPD and DOH issued a request for proposals for this very location, complete with prototype designs from a po-bono consulting team.

[23:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1415) The RFP generated seven proposals from prospective developers that were scrutinized during more community meetings, neighborhood roundtables, and public surveys. And in March of 2021, Athena and Austin United was announced as the winning project. Now, that was the easy part, because the real work was just starting with property acquisitions, design details, zoning, and the necessary financing and markets still recuperating from a global pandemic.

[24:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1449) I'm pleased to note that the bulk of the heavy lifting occurred under our mayor, Mayor Brandon Johnson, due to his unwavering commitment to affordable, dynamic commercial corridors that are common to neighborhoods of choice everywhere. In fact, many, many more improvements are coming to nearby blocks that will ensure that Chicago Avenue thrives on behalf of all the people that live and work nearby.

[24:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1480) Roughly two dozen planned and pending projects valued at more than $60 million are happening under the leadership of Alderwoman Mitts and Mayor Brandon Johnson that are valued at more than, again, $60 million. This underscores the city's commitment to a holistic renaissance. for this incredible corridor. Chicago Avenue, this is your moment. Austin, this is your project. Congratulations to the entire development team and to city staff for a phenomenal job done.

[25:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1512) Now I have the pleasure of introducing my partner in progress, the DOH Commissioner, Lissette Castaneda. Good morning, everyone. As has been said, I am Lissette Castaneda. I am the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Housing. and I just want to say what a joyful day it is today. We are cutting the ribbon on a housing development that is deeply important to us. This administration and the Department of Housing have a unique interest

[25:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1543) in ensuring that parts of Chicago that have been left behind can instead be brought forward, revitalized, and brought to use for working people. The Department of Housing provided $30 million of city support to this project And low-income housing tax credits have generated the other $20 million. We funded this project, y'all. This project will include 50 units of affordable housing for families who need it. For example, this would be a family of four making $60,000 to $73,000 a year.

[26:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1578) That's a single mom working two jobs to make end meet. That's grandma on disability and grandpa on a fixed income from his pension. That's the young family on their own trying to ensure they keep a roof above their heads and food on the table. Ultimately, though, this project is for Austin. This is a commitment from the city of Chicago to the residents of the west side. Gone are the days of the past when investment was concentrated in downtown Chicago. And here are the days of the future where people who look like you, who look like me,

[26:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1612) and people who live down the street from the mayor will see cranes in the sky and development in their streets. I want to thank everyone who helped make this development possible and a reality. Austin United Alliance, Oak Park Regional Housing Center, Pittable Housing Partners, Alderwoman Mitts, Commissioner Boatwright, and the Department of Planning and Development, my team for the Department of Housing, I see some of them out in the crowd, and, of course, Mayor Johnson, whose housing vision for all would never leave Austin and the West Side behind.

[27:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1643) Thank you. It is my pleasure to introduce the woman who said to me, I want to get this done, so we got this done, Alderwoman Emma Mitz. Good morning. This is an exciting day once again for the West Side of Chicago. I have had some challenges, but Commissioner Boatwright, I have to tell you, 2000, when they created Invest Southwest, and we're at 2006, now, 26, that's been a journey.

[28:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1697) So I want you to know projects are not easy. They're not easy. There are roadblocks you hear. First roadblock, I got an awesome woman who had never built nothing before. But I knew she could do housing. Athena and I used to go back She used to work in my office Her passion was housing

[28:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1728) Housing Now you know Autumn's office do a whole lot of other things But her passion was housing So I knew that she knew what she was doing And I said well Athena if you don't know You got to go find out We got to make this happen She stood in the gap we hit roadblocks going through a pandemic going through changes in contractors

[29:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1759) but in 2022 we had a roadblock we had a new mayor coming to town now we got to get this project done and so Athena was constantly in my office Lord knows Athena I'm glad we don't have to meet on this project

[29:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1789) right here. I know we got the next phase, but this one we don't have to go at anymore. We can look at one another and smile. Job well done. Y'all well done. This is what service is all about. So I will stand here to tell you today, I'm truly honored to be here to celebrate as we are celebrating the red income cutting of the Laramie State Bank building and this incredible investment right here on the west side.

[30:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1824) Today is more about opening the doors. It's more than that to a new development. To me, today is about a vision, partnerships, investments, and believing in the future of our communities. I want to give a special shout-out to the residents of the 37th Ward. To my staff, who had to set up and make sure we had all those meetings.

[30:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1857) and all the incredible work they've done throughout the last six years. I also want to recognize Willis Manning, the Midway Director of Pivotal Housing Partners. I know when you came in, I wasn't so nice. I have to let them know, but just because you're looking at a woman and Treasure Irving, a black woman, don't play with me.

[31:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1890) I had the opportunity to walk through the development and see firsthand. The housing, the amenities, and the attention to the details that has gone into each apartment. And I had to say, yeah, this is a job well done. Our residents would have the opportunity to live in what I like to call modern suites. Right here on the west side of Chicago.

[32:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1920) These are spaces that provide comfortable, dignity, and a sense of pride, and our residents deserve nothing less. This is what beautification looks like in a community. When we invest in our buildings and neighborhoods, we're not simply changing the appearance of a block. We are creating environments where people can feel proud to live, raise their families, and build their future.

[32:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=1954) And that is why a development like this matters. I am honored to be a part of such an amazing development and to witness what can happen when community leaders, developers, organizations, and partners come together with a shared vision. To everyone who played a role in making the Laramie State Bank a reality, thank you for believing in one neighborhood at a time, because when we come together, we create more buildings, we create more opportunities, we create more pride, we create stronger communities.

[33:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2019) Congratulations to everyone with the Laramie State Bank. As we continue this work, let us remember, unity in our community is how we build a better tomorrow. Let me acknowledge this could not have been done without the help of my colleagues. Nothing gets done without the help of your colleagues. one of them who is right here on the west side

[34:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2051) share in this investment Alderman Chris Talaferro thank you sir Alderman Jason Irvin who is not here thank you thank you to all of the partners because they stood firmly in making sure whatever I needed whatever we needed to do to make it happen took place we also have joining with us my good friend State Representative Camille Lilly, 78th District, who joins hands-in-hand with us every day

[34:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2085) on any issues we have rolling together on the west side of Chicago. Thank you, Camille. Now it is my pleasure to bring to you none other than the mayor of the greatest frequency ...on the west side of Chicago, our Mayor Brandon Johnson. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you so much. Before I please be seated, before I give my remarks, I just want to cede some of my time to Congressman Davis.

[35:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2120) Congressman Davis, do you mind just saying a few words? Is that okay, you all? Congressman Davis, please just come up and say a few words. I'm going to stand next to you to keep your story short. As a matter of fact, they will be. But let me tell you, it's always good to stand next to the greatest mayor in the United States of America. The best mayor in the United States of America. The most courageous mayor in the United States of America. My neighbor, who lives in the same community where I live, and a leader.

[35:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2154) You know, he was a teacher, and I was told that you can't lead where you don't go, and you can't teach what you don't know. Well, he does both. Take your time. Take your time. He leads and he teaches. I want to thank State Representative LaShawn Ford for letting me take his seat, because I guess he's going to take mine that I've had for 30 years.

[36:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2186) But let me tell you, to listen to all of these great elected officials, I felt good. I mean, just plain, simple, good. Listening to the great elected officials who just spoke. Listening to the outstanding public servants who just spoke. And then seeing all of you, a community united, a community blended together, a community that knows and understands that in unity, there is community.

[37:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2234) And when there is unity, nothing can separate us and nothing can keep us apart. LaShawn C. grew up right down the street Well I'm down the other way The mayor's down the other way Camille is down the other way Emma's down the other way The Irwins are down the other way They've been in all the different ways Chris Califera's down the other way Let me tell you

[37:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2265) This is a great community Just a wonderful Wonderful. All of the units coming together, let me tell you. New market tax credits, I was one of the original sponsors of it. Way back, it was the last bill that Bill Clinton signed before he left office. And of course we renew these things Low income housing tax credits

[38:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2297) It's been my pleasure to be one of the real champions of it And so everything comes together It doesn't necessarily come down or come up It just comes together And when we come together Then of course we get a development Athena, it's so wonderful I've been with the Oak Park Regional Housing since it started Since it started

[38:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2328) I've been around that long Oak Park and West End of Chicago Have worked together for years And years And so it's not a new phenomenon It's a continuing thing So all that I really need to do is say this Our country is at a crossroads It really is

[39:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2360) Yeah, it's wonderful to cut ribbons It's wonderful to know what we've done But let me tell you My mama used to tell us that anybody who gets too carried away was what they've already done would never realize how much they can do. And so, yeah, we've made some progress. We've come a long way from nowhere to somewhere. But I can tell you there are forces in this country, Donald, do you,

[39:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2393) who are trying their damnedest to take us back. Understand. understand that and know that they're trying to take everything away that we have created yeah we've come over way there with tears have been watered we've come treading a path through the blood of the slaughter and yeah out from the gloomy past and now we stand at last where there's

[40:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2424) hope and there's hope when we elect a person and put people in office who care about us who understand us who don't have to have the most money i ain't never had no money you go back and check my d2s and d3s i ain't never had no money but i tell you what i had the church down the street. That's my church right down the street. I had my neighbors

[40:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2459) next door. I had people who understood, and I had people who loved me and cared about me just as I loved and cared about them. So, great development, wonderful development. Mr. Mayor, you blended all of this together. You put it together as the leader. And I can tell you, once leadership is in place, leadership that understands.

[41:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2493) Don't tell me about how much money nobody got. They ain't gave me none of it. I wouldn't care if they had trillions of dollars. I wouldn't care if they had money running from under the bed, running out of the sky. They don't have the hearts and minds of the people. And if the people united, if the people understand their best interests, Mr. Mayor,

[42:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2528) thank you for giving me some of your time. But I want to give you four more years of time. Thank you so much, Congressman. Boy, he just made Sunday come on a Thursday, didn't he? Wow, he took us to church there. I'm late for my next three appointments now. But it's certainly worth it because Congressman Danny Kenyatta Davis

[42:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2559) deserves every bit of support and flowers while he is alive and well to smell it. I will say, though, every time he moved that staff around, my detail got closer and closer. I'm going to have to let LaShawn sit closer to the podium because Congressman was parting the red sea and almost parted my mohawk. For a second. All right. We've been here long enough, Athena.

[43:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2590) I'm sorry. You really tried to move this program along. And then you had all these black politicians. And let me just say the pivotal. Alderwoman Mintz treats everybody like that. I don't want you to feel special. And that's why she's an effective alderwoman. Let's give it up for the 37th Ward, alderwoman. To my alderman, Chris Taliafaro, my state representative, Camille Wiley, and, of course, our state rep of the 8th District, LaShawn K. Ford.

[43:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2621) I'm going to give me a middle initial one of these days. Everybody else got one. And, of course, we have our Democratic nominee for the 8th representative district, Chantel Franklin, is here. Let's give her a round of applause. And, of course, Congressman Davis. And then, you know, the other citywide elected leader. Isn't it cool to have two citywide elected leaders on the west side of Chicago, Treasurer Melissa Conyers-Urvin? You know, yesterday we were able to cut the ribbon or ring the bell for a brand new development downtown Chicago where we took old office spaces and we have converted them into housing, even affordable housing.

[44:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2665) And the neat thing about this development and this project through my Build Better Together initiative is that working people should be able to live wherever they want in this city. and we should make sure we prioritize the communities that raise them and that's why this project and this development is so crucial representative Ford has an adult child now and I know she wants to stay on the west side but I know she don't want to live with her daddy right my son

[44:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2698) will be 19. And when he's finished with college, he's going to need a place to stay. And he can come live in the 37th Ward, all the woman midst. And I don't think he has any political aspirations, so you should be fine. I mean, I'm so out of focus today. Am I okay if I take just three more minutes here before we cut this ribbon? You know, but this moment that we are in the midst of right now is that the west and south sides of Chicago will never be ignored,

[45:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2733) not as long as I'm mayor of the city of Chicago. And this economic enclave and corridor, Chicago Avenue, the sole city, really embodies, I think, the essence of what this project is about. 78 new homes on the west side of Chicago. 50 of them will be affordable. It's another step towards building the safest, most affordable big city in America. And just down the street, of course, there are multiple projects that are being developed.

[46:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2763) But here's the powerful part. They're not just being developed in our community. They're being developed by our community. Black contractors and black developers and black construction workers. And here's the good thing about that. We're not leaving anyone else behind because we are looking to advance. And so this development is just the latest revitalization of Chicago Avenue in Austin. Shout out to 60644. We love 5-1. I know. We love y'all, too.

[46:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2793) But shout out to 4-4. Right. But as many of you, okay, he said one more again. That's the great west side vernacular over here. As you may have noticed on your way here today, this section of Chicago Avenue is currently under steel construction. And that's proof positive of the investments that are being made. And thank you to AAA BNA and Malcolm Crawford and Athena Williams coming together and demonstrating what collective black unity can actually materialize.

[47:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2826) And these are intentional investments. And today I'm proud to announce that the city has updated its transportation demand management or TDM rules. These are guidelines that will make it easier for developers to revitalize our communities by providing them with a clear menu of meaningful improvements, including safer crossings, better bus stops, bike infrastructure, transit benefits, and smarter parking. For Chicagoans, it means safer streets, easier access to transit, better options for walking and biking, and less congestion.

[47:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2857) To put it simply, when something new was built, the TDM helps plan for how people will get there and for how we can keep traffic moving. This work is aligned with our broader commitment to make it easier, more affordable, and more efficient to develop investments in Chicago. And through my administration's Cut the Tape initiative, we continue to provide developers with clear expectations from the beginning of the review and approval process to the end, making the city's review process more transparent and consistent.

[48:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2888) And altogether, we are ensuring that Chicago grows with intention, so every investment in our city provides our people with opportunities safer and stronger for generations to come. And speaking of safety, last year we had the fewest amount of homicides in our city in 60 years. And just in the 15th Police District, we had a reduction of violent crime homicides by 30%, and this year we're down 25% from the 30% last year.

[48:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2918) We are building the safest, most affordable big city in America and we're doing it right through the Soul City Corridor. And so today's ribbon-cutting demonstrates the progress that is possible when public and private partners come together with a shared vision for stronger communities. And so I do want to thank the Oak Park Regional Housing Center. And maybe we should just draw a few of those Oak Park precincts into Chicago's west side just in time for 2027. I just, you know, the west-west side. Maywood, Balewood is in the house.

[49:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2949) But thank you to the Oak Park Regional Housing, to Pivotal Development. Of course, our Burling Builders, CDOT, DOHDPD, Department of Buildings. But I also want to give a special shout-out to Zali Coridine, who has been an incredible partner. Thank you, Zali, with Ashler Construction. Let's give it up for all of our black construction companies, our minority-owned construction companies. And I'm grateful for this collaboration in Austin. And finally, I'm thrilled to welcome really the tenants of Austin United because that's what Athena's heart has always been.

[49:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=2987) If you know Athena's story as a generational example, her family came to the West Side and invested in the West Side through small businesses. investing in their families to believe that one day what we purposed to discover here in this city would outlive us. The Bible says that a righteous person leaves an inheritance for their children's children. And that's the legacy that Athena comes from. And that's what we're building in Austin.

[50:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=3020) People are working to not just disrupt us at the federal level but make no mistake about it, there are people who believe that they can lead in this moment, but refuse to accept the power that this moment has already brought. And that's why I believe that this welcoming of these residents on the west side of Chicago, a town that unfortunately has removed working people out of our communities. Austin used to be the largest neighborhood in the entire city of Chicago. In fact, it is still the

[50:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=3055) most concentrated, largest community where black people reside. The only folks that have been pushed out of this city have been individuals who live on the west and south sides. And if we're going to build the safest, most affordable big city in America, it starts by repopulating the very communities that bring the soul to this city. God bless you, and God bless the greatest freaking city in the world, Chicago. All right, it's time to cut this ribbon. I'm going to ask Mr. LZ Higginbottom

[51:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=3088) to come on up here and cut the ribbon with us. Burling Builders, he is the principal of Burling Builders. I'm going to also ask everyone that's up here, Angie and Sonia, please roll out the ribbon. Janice and Scott, please come up here with us to cut the ribbon. Phyllis, come up here with us to cut the ribbon. Pastor Epteen, come on up here with us to cut the ribbon. Let's get this going because the mayor has how many other appointments? Sharon Grant, come on up here. Let's cut the ribbon. Let's get this ribbon going.

[51:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg?t=3119) Oh, my bad.

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/bbCFEHL8KYg · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt