Neighborhood changes in south Chicagoland (Chicago Heights, Harvey: high school, university, subdivision)

[Opkl]

Originally Posted by supportyourschools

Funny, I thought the topic was about changes in the south suburbs. How dare I inform people about the changes in a south surburban school district. My apologies; from now on I guess I'll just keep my information to myself.

No no. Your ok. I'm glad you told us all. I hope it passes next year. Goodluck SYS.

[deechee]

Oh noes. I hope I didn't come across too harsh

[deechee]

Just came across this thread again after taking a nice ride down some side streets in CCH.

It was quite a pleasant drive...I know better than to listen to those who choose to see where I live as such a horrible place...it was so beautiful today, and I saw this couple laughing on their porch...

I wish there was a sighing emote lol

[ImaloneJill]

Originally Posted by At1WithNature

Everything you hear about the Chicago southland is probably true or at least anchored in truth somewhere along the line. It's the worst part of the Chicago area, no questions asked. Of course, it has bright points. Just not as many as its Northern or Western counterparts.

Putting down a whole area by calling it inferior is just a way of validating your own inflated ego.
Chicago was built as a working class city, roots in blue collar-stockyards, railroads, shipping, trades.
There is nothing wrong with a class of people whose roots are in getting our hands dirty.

[ImaloneJill]

Originally Posted by ImaloneJill

Putting down a whole area by calling it inferior is just a way of validating your own inflated ego.
Chicago was built as a working class city, roots in blue collar-stockyards, railroads, shipping, trades.
There is nothing wrong with a class of people whose roots are in getting our hands dirty.

Forget what I said here.
I just read thru every post and it really is far off the mark.

[deechee]

Originally Posted by ImaloneJill

Forget what I said here.
I just read thru every post and it really is far off the mark.

Regardless, it doesn't make sense to put down an entire area without ever have lived here, vacationed, spent the night, etc.

[Avengerfire]

So this is where some of the stimulus money is going (not a surprise) :

"The Cook County Board today approved a plan to spend $28 million in federal stimulus money on neighborhood projects, such as demolishing vacant properties or rehabilitating rental units."

Money OKd for Southland neighborhood projects :: The SouthtownStar :: News

[ImaloneJill]

I guess this is a money-go-round transaction. They get the money, fix up the area and money comes back to the coffers.

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by deechee

I've heard that now that very far south Chicagoland (Monee, Crete, Manhattan, etc.) are losing their appeal because the neighborhoods are "turning." Is this true at all?

Monee? Not really; Crete, maybe in parts. Manhattan... No way.

Sorry, but the areas that border any of the African American areas would be what one would be considering "turning" lets call a spade a spade here and quit ***** footing around what is being asked. Racism is alive and well around Chicago and yes, when people of color move near the white folks, many white folks do take off and flee for areas west of there and won't even consider stepping foot back in the town again thus leading to the town loosing it's appeal at least to the white folks. I can't tell you how many times I have mentioned to co-workers, friends, neighbors, whomever; about great restaurants and little stores over in the areas of color lets say (i.e. Lorrenzettis Italian restaurant), and what's their reponse? "I ain't going over there, it's all n!gg_rs over there." Sad but true that people still feel this way.

Anyhow, where are the white folks going? Well to places like Lockport, Homer Glen, Frankfort, Mokena, and yes Manhattan, so yes the areas near Chicago Heights, Steger, University Park, Matteson, and Park Forest would be what one would consider "turning". This has been going on in the Chicago area for decades, it's nothing new.

[cdc3217]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

So this is where some of the stimulus money is going (not a surprise) :

"The Cook County Board today approved a plan to spend $28 million in federal stimulus money on neighborhood projects, such as demolishing vacant properties or rehabilitating rental units."

Money OKd for Southland neighborhood projects :: The SouthtownStar :: News

Are you saying its a bad use?
Why is improving blighted areas and removing a glut of run down housing a bad use of funds? Won't some local jobs/contracts be created? Wasn't that the point?

Looking at Blue Island's plans, I'm wondering who is going to buy the rehabbed houses if there's still too many houses on the market, but at the minimum it would stabilize a block or area that might otherwise go downhill.