CHA CEO strikes blow for Darrow Homes highrise

CHA CEO strikes blow for Darrow Homes highrise

With the first blow of a five-ton wrecking ball against the vacant 14-story CHA high-rise in the heart of the Ida B. Wells development, CHA's CEO Terry Peterson Thursday began the burial of this "symbol of failure."

The smashing of the first wall of this building begins his first "return on investment" for the troubled South Side public housing redevelopment.

Formerly known as the Darrow Homes, located at 706 E. 39th St., Peterson said taking down the building is a "big step into the future" and that it has long been a "symbol of the failure of public housing.

"It's time to put this symbol of failure to rest and it's time for us to reinvest," Peterson said at a press conference at that site where he was joined by Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th), Shirley Norris, former treasurer of 706 E. 39th St. Resident management Corp., and community residents.

"These investments will radically reshape this community and help us realize the vision of mixed-income communities outline in the CHA plan for transformation," Peterson said.

"I'm pleased that CHA has made a substantial commitment to the revitalization of the Ida B. Wells/Madden Park community. The demolition of the Clarence Darrow Homes will pave the way for the new development net spring," Preckwinkle said.

According to Preckwinkle, an application for HUD funds through the HOPE VI plan has been made which is a $35 million request. She hopes to hear from HUD around Labor Day.

The alderman credited Sandra Young, president of the Local Advisory Council (LAC) at Ida B. Wells and Eunice Crosby, LAC president of the Madden Park, as being instrumental in the planning process that resulted in the HOPE IV application. The residents, she said, were actively involved as well.

Referring to the $1.5 billion transformation plan, Peterson said it will create 25,000 new or rehabbed units in mixed income communities which he said will be sufficient to house every current lease-compliant resident.

"It will mean a rehabbed unit for every senior with air-conditioning," he said.

Along with better, low-rise housing, Peterson said it will also provide better access to services he says can lead to jobs and social programs just like other Chicagoans.

"The plan includes a new school, new park and fieldhouse, mixed-use commercial areas, a community center and a new street grid," Peterson said.

"This is the community's plan, the community's vision"

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