Developers Committed to Supporting Neighborhood Revitalization on All Fronts
Granite Development Corp. and Brinshore Development, LLC are two of Chicago’s foremost developers, with projects ranging from large-scale historical preservation to mixed-income communities in neighborhoods across the city. David Brint is CEO of Brinshore Development, LLC, and Joe Williams is co-chairman of the Granite Companies.
Granite and Brinshore work with LISC on both ends of the funding spectrum. They have been long-time supporters of LISC, but are also recipients of LISC funding. Can you give some examples of ways that you and LISC have worked together?
David Brint, Brinshore Development
DB: LISC provided necessary predevelopment funds to several of Brinshore’s HOPE VI projects, which helped move them along much more quickly. But affordable housing communities are about more than buildings; so Brinshore has supported a number of LISC’s neighborhood programs, like the first baseball diamond in the Westhaven community in 20 years.
JW: LISC has been a predevelopment funder for a number of Granite’s projects, like Oakwood Shores. We support LISC so they can continue their work in transitioning neighborhoods like those surrounding Oakwood Shores and other mixed-income developments.
What kind of long-term impact do your companies hope to make through their investments and support?
DB: We at Brinshore understand that successful communities, especially those with affordable housing, require a variety of support services and amenities. We can provide the housing, but we also support LISC because no other entity has the ability to rally the corporate community, the political community, and people working in neighborhoods with the efficiency and skill that they do.
Joe Williams, The Granite Companies
JW: While our piece of the puzzle is important, we want to see complete successful communities – with retail, arts and other neighborhood amenities. LISC has made a huge commitment to neighborhoods and
keeping them viable.
How would you characterize the relationship between developers and non-profit funders like LISC in regard to neighborhood development?
DB: Philanthropies have the ability to fund amenities like social services, job training centers and health care centers, among others, that are needed to solidify neighborhoods but are not necessarily available to developers. That’s why it’s so important to work in partnership. Chicago is lucky to have an organization like LISC.
JW: Successful developers realize that the neighborhood is not just our boundaries. The quality of life of those living there is essential. And in addition to its community programs, LISC tackles the big issues, bringing together decision makers on issues that are important to the stabilization and revitalization of all our neighborhoods.