A plan for the well-being of Chicago's south and west side communities

Economic conditions have dictated a dramatic decrease in new commercial development activity in Chicago’s most vulnerable communities. The need for sustainable living wage employment and economic development has become more urgent in these marginalized communities. Business and employment opportunities for community residents are needed to support the local environment in which they live. 

Through our connections with various community residents, landowners, and businesses, McLaurin has gained a holistic perspective on the needs of communities. We’re nurturing a few aggressive ideas to help the south and west side communities where commercial activity is fragile. 

Over the course of the next few months, we’ll be laying out our organic approach to foster the next segment of sustainable business growth and entrepreneurship that may simultaneously reverse the demographic trend of under-employment, lower household income, and lack of job readiness. 

“South and West siders travel far greater distances than Northsiders for dining and shopping, reflecting poorly on the ability of dollars to remain within the communities where residents reside.”

In a 2016 report by JP Morgan Chase, The Commercial Vibrancy of Chicago Neighborhoods, South and West siders travel far greater distances than Northsiders for dining and shopping, reflecting poorly on the ability of dollars to remain within the communities where residents reside. “Typical transaction distances of over two miles for grocery stores and four miles for restaurants suggest that many South and West Side residents purchase these basic goods and services well outside of their local neighborhoods, while many North Side residents make these purchases much closer to home.” 
 

Families are inclined to reside in areas where their familial infrastructure and network is strongest vs. areas where job opportunities and commercial activities are more available. This ideology provides a unique opportunity to re-purpose thousands of vacant residential properties across Chicago’s poorer communities to create thriving neighborhoods where the dollar stays longer than 6 hours. The 6-hour circulation is an unsubstantiated claim made popular by the NAACP but, it niggles like truth.

“At McLaurin, we are not simply developing neighborhoods for profit, we build because we care – about people, about community, about prosperity.”

At McLaurin, we are not simply developing neighborhoods for profit, we build because we care – about people, about community, about prosperity. Our plan is to work with policymakers, community leaders, and residents to seek economic growth in marginalized communities. We are defining plans that serve the well-being of these communities to increase the financial wherewithal of the people who live, work, and play there. Stay tuned, we’re in our lab making a plan. 

Reference: https://www.jpmorganchase.com/corporate/institute/insight-commercial-vibrancy-of-chicago.htm