Committee on Transportation and Public Way meeting, November 9, 2023
- When: Thu, Nov 9, 2023, 10:00 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Transportation and Public Way
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928551/video/882621549
- Transcript: full text (3,457 words, official captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
The Committee on Transportation and Public Way, chaired by Alderperson Gregory I. Mitchell, had no public commenters and approved the Rule 45 report for its October 3, 2023 meeting. The committee recommended passage of an infrastructure agreement under which the city will allocate $16.6 million for street, sewer, water and lighting improvements at the LeClaire Courts redevelopment in the 22nd Ward, which Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez described as enabling a grocery store, health center and housing. It also recommended passage of a package of miscellaneous ward items and two Chicago Housing Authority street and alley vacations in the 28th Ward, on South Laflin Street and West Hastings Street, for a Chicago Fire soccer club training facility, which Alderperson Jason C. Ervin supported.
Topics: LeClaire Courts redevelopment, infrastructure agreement, street vacations, Chicago Fire training facility, Chicago Housing Authority, Rule 45 report
Agenda items discussed
- 18:28 Rule 45 report for the October 3, 2023 meeting: passed
- 18:55 Infrastructure agreement with LeClaire Partners LLC for the LeClaire Courts redevelopment project: passed
- 27:35 Miscellaneous ordinances and amendments introduced by local alderpersons: passed
- 28:13 Vacation of a portion of South Laflin Street between West Roosevelt Road and approximately West 13th Street for the Chicago Housing Authority (O2023-0004803): passed
- 36:02 Vacation of West Hastings Street and contiguous alleys for the Chicago Housing Authority and West Hastings Owner LLC (O2023-0004808): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Gregory I. Mitchell (chair): Praised the LeClaire Courts project and Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez work on it and asked to be kept posted on its progress. (26:34); Asked whether the Laflin Street cul-de-sac would remain or be opened up. (33:19); Called the Chicago Fire project transformative and congratulated Alderperson Jason C. Ervin for involving the community. (35:01)
- Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Said public housing at LeClaire Courts was failed by decades of disinvestment and government neglect rather than by its residents. (23:53); Described community outreach with the developer, CHA and neighborhood organizations and noted a new school opened nearby. (24:38); Said the agreement will allow infrastructure for a grocery store in a food desert, a health center, about 200 housing units and an early childhood center, and moved to pass. (25:15)
- Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Explained that the area will become part of a Chicago Fire development and that CHA affordable units are being reconfigured on the balance of the Roosevelt Square site. (33:27); Said the Chicago Fire has been a catalyst for rehabilitating the Brooks Homes and has local advisory council support. (34:28); Said retaining the Chicago Fire in the city was a key catalyst and called the vacation a win for the city and residents. (40:18)
Exchanges between members
- 26:34 The chair congratulated Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez on the LeClaire Courts project and asked to be kept posted.
- 33:19 The chair asked whether the Laflin Street cul-de-sac would remain, and Alderperson Jason C. Ervin answered.
- 35:01 The chair congratulated Alderperson Jason C. Ervin and thanked him for answering his questions.
- 35:45 Alderperson Jason C. Ervin responded warmly to the chair's compliment.