Got this press release today…
FORGING UNITY: Uniting Together Preserving Business on Historic 75th Street—
Larger Sewer Carries Storm Water, but Also Hope and Purpose
(Chicago, October 12, 2009)—Installation of a new sewer is normally a way of renewing old infrastructure, and reducing the risk of flooding during heavy rains. But on 75th Street on Chicago's South side, the replacement of the 100 year old sewers nearly caused an unintended disaster when the construction closed down the street to traffic and busses for months. Many of the 114 historic small businesses lining the inaccessible 16 blocks from State Street to Cottage Grove suffered severe economic downturn from the sudden loss of customer access and are barely hanging on.
In response, the businesses collaborated and formed a successful self help strategy which called on area residents, churches, block clubs, schools, local and city leaders to unify around efforts to help them retain their once heavily patronized businesses, launching several initiatives that will continue long after the steamrollers leave.
The sewer construction, begun in July, will end this month, weeks ahead of the originally projected November completion date. An official ribbon cutting to formally reopen 75th Street to the public will take place on October 23rd at 10:00 am, on the corner of 75th Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive followed by a tour of several businesses.
The local merchants, community supporters and politicians including city, state and federal officials, will celebrate both their unified accomplishments and the return of cars and people to the street and to the businesses. A significant number of the business are over 40 years old and have played a crucial and historic role as Black owned establishments in supporting and developing the largely African American neighborhood. They include Army & Lou’s Restaurant, Fletcher’s Records and Tapes, LEM’s Barbeque, The New Apartment Lounge Soul Vegetarian and the Woodshop Art Gallery . Others, though smaller, offer a surprising range of services, retail goods, food, and entertainment often with an ethnic flair. They include tailors, shoe repair, designer hats and clothing, bowling, bakeries and computer services. Included in the celebration will be rejoicing over the 48-inch sewer newly installed between Indiana and Eberhardt Avenues.
The 75th Street businesses —collectively known as Renaissance Row—broke new ground in responding to the dust and disruption of construction with a community unity and collaboration strategy that resulted in significant relief to their plight. They are now planning to make many of the emergency initiatives into permanent programs in order to continue the economic upturn and maintain the spirit of cooperation.
“Many of our businesses saw revenue go down severely between July and October. But, we may be Chicago ’s most resilient neighborhood, and we are turning adversity into victory,” said Alicia Spears, Executive Director of the Business and Economic Revitalization Association (BERA). BERA is the primary organization that helped the Businesses to plan and execute the community unity strategy.
Among the BERA-led initiatives that will continue is an innovative “Walk-Around Business Tour” to familiarize people with the variety of 75th street offerings by walking instead of driving. The campaign “Think 75th Street – Walk, Shop, Dine, Play”will also go on each Saturday through December when the 75th street Merchants will plan music, entertainment, celebrity appearances, educational workshops, special sales and promotions in their shops and on the street to keep the festive air going and encourage supporters to continue to spend their dollars and time on 75th street. A Monthly entrepreneur education workshop will be offered to teach people how to successfully plan and run their own business, showcasing the 75th Business owners as successful living models. Partnering with Illinois University Extension as facilitators, part of each session will also focus on helping 75th street and other established small businesses with marketing, financing and planning issues.
“On 75th street , we have the business experience and longevity to offer something beyond retail products and services. By helping people realize their dreams of establishing or growing their own businesses, we are making friends and strengthening the neighborhood,” said Attorney Jeanette Forman, BERA volunteer and Event Coordinator of 75th Street Project.
Spears will also thank the 6th Ward Alderman, Freddrenna M. Lyle, and The Department of Water Management Commissioner and Crews for what she said was their invaluable support of the neighborhood initiative. “We want to be in real partnership with our customers. This means renewing infrastructure, but it also means working with them on their terms—matching the work we do below the ground with what we can offer whole communities above ground,” said John F. Spatz, Jr., Commissioner of Water Management.
The public is invited to the ribbon cutting at 10:00 am, Friday, October 23rd, at 75th Street and Martin Luther King Drive . They may also register for the next Entrepreneur Education workshop being held on October 19 from 6:00 – 8:30 pm at 441E. 75th Street on the topic of Guerrilla Marketing-by contacting BERA at beraecon@americt.net or calling 773 783-2636
For media inquiries and press credentials to attend the Oct 23 Ribbon cutting event, please call Publicist, Shawn Zanotti at (312) 212-4261 or by e-mail at shawnloren@exactpublicity.com