Chicagos blight (Peoria, Oak Lawn, Woodlawn: fit in, sales, 2015)

[N.Y.C.H]

I was just wondering, although probably a dumb question, why is it that Chicago doesn't really seem to have a large amount of urban blight even on the southside compared to other big cities like philly, baltimore, etc etc that all lost population. Sure Englewood has some boarded up homes, but most of chicago seems to be well maintained. Is there a reason for this or am i totally just missing certain areas?

[Avondalist]

Polish handymen.

[compactspace]

The old buildings in the hood were often built for well-to-do people. They have good bones and stand the test of time. (And one day they might even be rehabilitated.) I'm sure that's part of it.

[williepotatoes]

Originally Posted by N.Y.C.H

I was just wondering, although probably a dumb question, why is it that Chicago doesn't really seem to have a large amount of urban blight even on the southside compared to other big cities like philly, baltimore, etc etc that all lost population. Sure Englewood has some boarded up homes, but most of chicago seems to be well maintained. Is there a reason for this or am i totally just missing certain areas?

One reason is that both the Daleys attacked it aggressively. The urban renewal of the 1950s thru 1970s changed the face of Chicago like none other. After kid Daley was elected he went on an almost maniacal rampage of tearing down the cities condemned and abandoned properties.

[MassVt]

The urban blight in Philly and Baltimore is easily some of the worst in the country. Just wretched, and the rowhouse atmosphere just adds to it...

[chicagobear]

Chicago (and St. Louis) have a lot of brick houses compared to Detroit which hold up better.

[NOLA101]

Since when did Chicago not have a lot of urban blight?

Chicago certainly has comparable urban blight as Philly and Baltimore. It looks different, of course, because the East Coast and Midwest have different built vernaculars, but there's no shortage of blight on Chicago's West and South Sides.

[Ace Rothstein]

There are quite a few neighborhoods with half of the lots being empty, not sure what the OP is talking about.

[ARaider08]

Oh yes. Chicago definitely still has its share of blighted neighborhoods.

The City's data portal offers a map pertaining to vacants/abandoned buildings.
https://data.cityofchicago.org/Servi...ding/d9re-tmpw

One of the major differences between Chicago and the rest of the country is the impact of (the controversial) Tax-Increment Financing districts.

A lot of money has been put into blighted communities through TIF and that spurred a lot of development in many areas like Cabrini-Green/River North, South Loop and West Loop.

The economic gains haven't been even across the board as neighborhoods with TIFs like Woodlawn, Austin and Englewood still suffer still struggle.

You really have to get your feet on the ground to see it yourself.

Hell, go to Chicago's famous Garfield Park Conservatory and look right across the street.

[chet everett]

In general there is NOT as much visible "blight" as one might expect given the relatively high crime and unemployment that unfortunately is a problem in many parts of Chicago. Here is a somewhat typical side-street intersection in Englewood, 69th & Perry -- https://goo.gl/maps/sVQiCrGi7u12 As others have noted, there are vacant lots, though the city has made an enormous effort to ensure they are not covered in junk / garbage and there are LOTS of fairly well built brick homes and apartments. If you "scroll around" this part of Englewood you will notice a dearth of any kind of business activity, the thoroughfares do have gas stations and an occasional local business selling not very healthy carry out food, as well as all kinds of "store front bible churches" that make for convenient tax exemptions. Lots of vacant land where there once may have been older public housing, factories, and retail strip malls, now most "green grass" redevelopment sites... There are some semi-industrial land uses, mostly 'connected' businesses that have contracts to provide 'privatized' services to the city ranging from school buses to waste transfer stations. Folks that believe in lifetime pensions will be quick to point out that these privatized firms are much cheaper providers of such services, and the executive that head up these firms probably make out like bandits even compared to politicians...

Those that advocate for "more transit" would probably be sick to their stomachs seeing these streets lined with private automobiles, but those cars mean that their drivers can get to jobs in not just the Loop (where the CTA is still essentially part of "hub and spoke" transit system, but somehow I don't see too many folks with even the ability to fit in with web marketing teams having come out of the dysfunctional school in the area, let alone the "tech centric" jobs that Rahm is always trying to get credit for...) but to employers in the various suburbs. Folks that might be a LPN or work in the food service areas of a hospital in Oak Lawn or further away can use their car to get to work and also do their shopping in areas without the ridiculous sales taxes of Chicago. For what is worth, there is a Divvy bike stand up the street. Yeah...

If you are interested in being a landlord you can get a rehabbed two-flat for what some folks pay for a parking space in the Gold Coast -- https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/69.../home/13931236

Lots of property crimes, plenty of assaults, not as many homicides as one might think -- Englewood -- Crime in Chicagoland -- chicagotribune.com

The need for jobs / businesses is pretty obvious, but folks that are hoping to see something that looks like the locals have been dealing with "carpet bombing" would probably be surprised at how "normal" things look. https://leadersoftheopposition.files...b-facebook.jpg