Do Now: Coffee and Crime

◦What types of crimes decreased because of coffee shops?

◦What types of crimes increased because of coffee shops?

Why do you think we saw this difference?

The next 2 weeks!!!We will finish up the packet and

gentrification on Monday, May 20

Your final will be on Wednesday May 22◦It will cover:

Alderman/Making Change unit Violence in Chicago – Review the radio

program and your notes on what we heard

Gentrification

The Gentrification of PilsenCommodification and Identity

Division of IdeasExpansion of UIC Campus in 2004Alderman Solis

Agreed to the expansion if: Provided 700 jobs $70 million in subcontracts to Latino Businesses

Senators Garcia and del Valle Disagree with the expansion b/c:

Does not equally benefit Pilsen residents. Loss of control over communities future

Disagreements weaken community resolve against gentrification, put the neighborhood at risk

Private Market and Selling CultureBuilding Codes and Gentrification

◦Building code violations are a key indicator of gentrification Used by residents to push out

“undesirable” neighbors Used by the real estate industry to

acquire properties at a low cost◦As of 2004 this indicator has not

appeared to increase in Pilsen May be occurring slowly in the eastern

portions of Pilsen.

Private Market and Selling CultureCultural Representation and

“Selling” a neighborhood.◦The artists of Pilsen

John Podmajersky and the artist colony of Eastern Pilsen

Started in the 1960’s as a low cost location for artists to live and do their work

Less connected to the Pilsen community at large

Opened the door for gentrification to come in

Turn and TalkThere is a view expressed in the

reading that the risk of gentrification of Pilsen is increased is because of the “Artist’s colony” in East Pilsen◦Both the Hispanic and the Artist

communities started/established about the same time (1950-1960)

Does the Hispanic community have more of a claim to Pilsen? Why or Why Not.

Private Market and Selling CultureEastern Pilsen – “the entry point of

gentrification”◦Has seen marked increases in median

income and owner-occupied housing since 1990-2000

◦Developers have capitalized on the combination of “ethnic heritage” and “artistic charm”

Mexican Heritage as a selling point“Considered by many to be Chicago’s largest Mexican community, this neighborhood [boasts] at offering us the only truly authentic burrito in town!” North Clybourn Group website, 2003)

Private Market and Selling CultureOutside groups have focused on

capitalizing on the culture of Pilsen to attract middle and upper class residents.

This pressure has been fairly continuous since 1970

Community organization is a major reason it has not been successful

Importance of CommunityChicano Movement – early form

of opposition against gentrification◦Inspired the community murals

around Pilsen

Importance of CommunityPilsen Community Planning Council

(PCPC)◦Organized in response to Chicago 21

Plan◦Allowed Pilsen to be one of the few

communities that raised enough money to have input on community development

◦Not completely successful but showed that challenging big business was possible

Importance of CommunityThe Pilsen Alliance (est 1997)

◦Organized to prevent the process of new construction

◦Concord Homes Project A plan to develop middle income/upper

income housing in Pilsen Create 132 new condos Starting price $280,000 Set aside 10% “affordable housing”

◦In 2003 PA successfully stopped the new construction

Importance of CommunityAlejandra Ibenez, President of the PA

“We realize this is not the end-all be-all answer, and it is not going to solve the problem of gentrification. But for us, this is an organizing tool and a first step in getting people involved.”

Exit Ticket - DiscussionWrite your ideas first

◦Is the success of Pilsen able to be replicated in other neighborhoods? Why or why not?

◦Is there a way to avoid “Selling” ones culture in order to preserve your community? Why or Why not?