CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Affordable housing advocates are proposing an alternative location for a planned high school in the South Loop.
The Chicago Board of Education recently approved Chicago Housing Authority land at 24th and South State to become the site of a new South Loop high school.
State Rep. Theresa Mah, joined her 24th district constituents near a vacant city owned lot at 17th and South Canal.
“The site behind us is one that we can all agree on, that meets a number of needs and allows the current site to be used for public housing, which is much needed and which is something that is championed by the members that stand behind me,” Mah noted.
“Here we have an alternative that can work to make sure that we achieve both goals,” 25th Ward Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez said.
By building the new school at 17th and Canal instead of building it at 24th and State, where there has been a long standing fight for the return of more than 1,000 affordable housing units, it would achieve both goals.
Affordable Housing advocate Earlene Braggs said that only one person is to blame for ignoring community input on that decision.
“It may seem that we are having an issue with CPS. And, it may seem that we are having an issue with CHA. But, really, we are not having an issue with neither. And, as you can see, we’re not having an issue with each other because we’re all standing here together,” Braggs said. “Our real issue is with the mayor. She is the one who gives them the say so to be able to do whatever it is that they do. They can’t make a move without the mayor, so it’s all on her. Hopefully, we’ll have a new mayor voted in that will be more for the people instead of power and money.”
Braggs said she’s personally gathered hundreds of signatures from community members who are against the building of a new school at 24th and State.
Affordable housing advocates said that they are hopeful that the Department of Housing and Urban Development will hold out on making a decision until after the upcoming municipal election.
HUD has final say if 24th and State can be purposed for a school.
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