CNDA Ceremony Celebrates Perseverance
When the going gets tough in Chicago’s neighborhoods, the tough – and innovative, and resourceful – get going.
The 1,200 people who gathered Feb. 9 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago for the 16th Annual Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards (CNDA), sponsored by LISC/Chicago, heard their stories: numerous paeans to the individuals, organizations and projects that have continued to make low- to moderate-income communities better places to live, in spite of the nation’s worst economic conditions in three-quarters of a century.
Mayor Richard M. Daley delivers the keynote address, during which he thanked everyone in attendance for their contributions to strengthening Chicago's neighborhoods during difficult economic times.
Alex Fledderjohn
“2009 was a challenging year for all of us, but one in which Chicago’s neighborhoods proved their mettle,” said Andrew Mooney, executive director of LISC/Chicago. Touching on the event’s theme, “Back to the Future: What Our Neighborhoods Can Be,” he added: “We need to draw lessons from the past as we look ahead.”
The award ceremony’s chair, Harrison I. Steans of Financial Investments Corporation and the Steans Family Foundation, agreed that everyone assembled had survived “an incredibly difficult year.” Steans said, “If Chicago is the ‘City That Works,’ it’s because it has neighborhoods that work.”
Ten initiatives, agencies and individuals received recognition during the ceremony, which reached its emotional climax during a bittersweet, posthumous bow to the late Michael W. Scott, president of the Chicago Board of Education, who received the Friend of the Neighborhoods Award for his lifetime of service.
“Michael had the passion of public service,” said keynote speaker Mayor Richard M. Daley. “He had the passion for the community.”
Harrison I. Steans of The Steans Foundation and Financial Investments Corporation (left) and Andrew Mooney, executive director of LISC/Chicago, share the podium.
Alex Fledderjohn
Daley thanked the rest of the honorees and others in the room for possessing similar qualities. “You believe investment can change a community,” he said. “That’s what tonight is about. Each one of these developments can make an impact. I want to thank each and every one of you for what you’ve accomplished and what you will accomplish in the future.”
On the day the mayor revealed his son, Patrick, had been called up to active military service, Daley questioned why the U.S. spends so much on wars instead of rebuilding communities or educating children. “We’re forgetting that what made America was educational opportunities – not a gun, not war,” he said. Employers “don’t have to be in Chicago. How do we keep them here? By having the best-trained workforce.”
Awardees an Impressive Lot
More than 60 judges worked to identify the Chicago Neighborhood Development Award winners from “scores of entries” based on applications and site visits, according to Paul Labonne of National City Bank.
Those in attendance at the ceremony watched videos about the award winners and heard from both judges and the winners themselves. One development – the Whistler Crossing reinvention of the former Pacesetter housing project in south suburban Riverdale – took home two awards and became the first-ever CNDA winner outside of the city of Chicago.
The winners were:
Diana Palomar Scott, widow of Chicago Board of Education President Michael W. Scott, accepts his posthumous Friend of the Neighborhoods Award during the CNDA ceremony.
Alex Fledderjohn
The Chicago Community Trust Outstanding Community Strategy Award: Pilsen Quality-of-Life Planning Process. Led by The Resurrection Project, this process brought together more than 20 organizers who collaborated on a vision, strategies and projects as part of LISC's New Communities Program. “This is a tremendous award,” said Raul I. Raymundo, chief executive officer and co-founder of The Resurrection Project. The video “tells the message and story of bringing people together as stakeholders.”
The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Outstanding Non-Profit Real Estate Project: The Homan Arthington Foundation for the Charles H. Shaw Technology and Learning Center. This rehabilitation and adaptive reuse turned the Power House facility of the original Sears, Roebuck and Co. world headquarters in North Lawndale into the public charter school Henry Ford Academy. “We had a great team assembled to transform this white elephant into the fabulous community it has become,” said Kristin Dean of the Homan Arthington Foundation.
The Polk Bros. Foundation Affordable Rental Housing Preservation Award (presented in honor of John Pritscher): Mercy Housing Lakefront for Maiden Arms Apartments. This project secured Maiden Arms as affordable housing for more two decades through layers of rental subsidies and an innovative reserve account. “Projects this complicated take a whole village,” said Cindy Holler of Mercy Housing. “We needed to keep this building preserved.”
The Resurrection Project, led by executive director Raul Raymundo, won the Chicago Community Trust Outstanding Community Strategy Award for the Pilsen Quality of Life Plan that was part of LISC's New Communities Program.
Alex Fledderjohn
The Outstanding For-Profit Neighborhood Real Estate Project Award: Holsten Real Estate Development Corporation and Turnstone Development for Whistler Crossing. Drawing from the conclusions of a Technical Assistance Panel convened by the Urban Land Institute, these partners used 17 layers of funding to mix sustainably designed buildings offering a range of affordability levels in a newly accessible neighborhood. “The Village of Riverdale reached out to us, and they were wonderful to work with,” said Peter Holsten, president of Holsten Real Estate Development Corporation.
Special Recognition Award: Community Economic Development Law Project. This organization provides tax, corporate, real estate and finance expertise to thousands of non-profit agencies and individuals who could not otherwise afford it, helping to start businesses, buy homes and more. “As lawyers, you’re rarely invited to join a community,” said Susan Kaplan of CEDLP, tongue firmly in cheek. “We’ve been privileged to get to know this community. We’re part of what I like to call the best of the legal community.”
The Richard H. Dreihaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design:
Third Place: SMNG-A Architects for Langston Hughes Elementary School. This design incorporated tons of natural light, a landscaped central garden, and wheelchair-accessible facilities for this school, whose students have developmental disabilities and special health needs. “This project was a long time coming,” said Todd Niemiec of SMNG-A, adding that the company partnered successfully with Chicago Public Schools around a joint commitment to sustainable design.
Second Place: Farr Associates for Whistler Crossing. This redevelopment includes 90 historic townhouses and two new-mixed-use buildings along with commercial space and infrastructure improvements. “This is not so much a new building as a new place,” said Doug Farr of Farr Associates. “I’m accepting this award on behalf of our dream team. I said ‘dream team.’ I meant that.”
Richard H. Driehaus (right) shares smiles with those who won awards in his name.
Alex Fledderjohn
First Place: Urban Works for UNO Veterans Memorial School Campus. Once an abandoned industrial bakery, this building now includes two elementary schools and a high school; the facility features a glass façade and community space, environmentally sustainable elements that could lead to LEED Gold certification, and abundant natural light. “We wanted something that made a statement,” said Juan Rangel, CEO of UNO. “We also wanted the building to be worthy of the children who are educated there.”
The Norman Bobins Leadership Award: Bernita Johnson-Gabriel, Executive Director, Quad Communities Development Corporation. She led the process that created the Quad Communities Quality-of-Life Plan as NCP director, leveraged resources to jump-start key projects like the Bronzeville Community Market, and became executive director in 2007. “What an honor this is,” Johnson-Gabriel said, thanking several partners and mentors including Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th), who has served as a board advisor for QCDC. “Toni, you have truly been a role model beyond approach,” she said. “You have inspired me to adopt the notion that failure is not an option.”
The Friend of the Neighborhoods Award: Michael W. Scott. Prior to serving as president of the Board of Education, Scott had held the post of board president of the Chicago Park District, and earlier in his career he worked as a community organizer for both the Pyramid West Development Corp. and the Lawndale People’s Planning and Action Council. “Michael is sorely missed by all of those whose lives he touched,” Steans said. Added Terry Peterson, CTA board chairman. “His public service spanned four mayor administrations. … He was also recognized as a great business leader. I can think of no better way to honor Michael.”
Mooney encouraged attendees to “remember him. Carry on his perseverance and enthusiasm for the people of the city of Chicago.” Finally, Scott’s widow, Diana Palomar Scott, recalled that part of Scott’s enthusiasm and perseverance stemmed from an article he once read saying that the West Side of Chicago was doomed to permanent poverty. “He was determined to prove that wrong,” she said. “He understood that you could make people’s lives whole.”
A panel that preceded the awards ceremony hashed through issues related to community development, education and more. To read about what they had to say, please click here.