Black developers join forces to build housing in West Woodlawn

Housing development Photo credit Getty Images

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago and Cook County officials and community developers on Tuesday showcased the beginning of a major redevelopment in West Woodlawn.

County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined Chicago Housing Commissioner Marisa Novara and Cook County Land Bank Authority Director Eleanor Gorski to break ground.

The authority acquired 11 vacant lots, and five African-American developers have teamed up to build a block of three-flat homes on them.

Bonita Harrison, one of the developers, said she and the others have known each other for years and decided to work together.

Novara said her agency is committing $1.4 million to back the loans needed for the "Buy Back the Block" project.

County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, one of the founders of the Land Bank, said the project is just what she envisioned. It shows communities don’t have to accept vacant properties.

“It doesn’t have to be that way,” she said.