Updates from SSN4H

August 27th, 2019

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Interested in our past newsletters?  You can now find the archive here.

We need your help.  

Please write to the city and federal officials stating your support for the OPC in Jackson Park now!  There are only 3 days left!

Deadline: August 30th, 5pm

 

In our August 19th newsletter we outlined the results of the recent release of the Assessment of Effects report that was required by the Section 106 Federal Review process that the OPC must under go due to its proposed location in Jackson Park.  You can access that newsletter here.   

 

Opponents to the OPC in Jackson Park, including Jackson Park Watch, Friends of the Park and various preservationist groups have jumped on this report as a reason for preventing the siting of the OPC in Jackson Park.  They have waged a letter writing campaign to oppose the OPC in Jackson Park.  

It is vital that voices of the community are heard.  

 

What can you do??

 

The 30-day public comment window is coming to a close on August 30th, this precedes and will be used for, generation of a document called the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).  The City, National Park Service and National Highway Administration must take into account all comments received on the AOE report both at the public meetings and any written comments sent to the city via DPD's Public Participation Officer, Abby Monroe.  These comments and letters will be used to weigh in the production of this agreement.

 

If you have already written, we thank you, but please consider forwarding your letter to the city and federal individuals listed below and cc us so we can track the number of letters sent. If your original email did not include your full name and address (or at a minimum, your neighborhood) then please consider sending again.  If you can put your comments into a pdf letter with your signature, that is ideal.  In whatever form you can submit, your comments are critical to ensure that people outside our communities are not derailing the plans for the OPC in Jackson Park.

 

If you have not already written, please do so!!!  We have suggestions below for how to tailor your letter, particularly #7.  Include your full name and address (or at a minimum, your neighborhood.)  If you can put your comments into a pdf letter with your signature, that is ideal.  In whatever form you can submit, your comments are critical to ensure that people outside our communities are not derailing the plans for the OPC in Jackson Park. Send to the list of individuals below (namely Ms. Abby Monroe) and cc us on your email so we can track the number of letters sent.

 

Send your letter to these individuals:

Abby Monroe (DPD Public Participation Officer): abby.monroe@cityofchicago.org 

Matt Fuller (FHWA):  matt.fuller@dot.gov

 Lee Tersiz (NPS): lee_terzis@nps.gov

Nate Roseberry (CDOT): nathan.roseberry@cityofchicago.org

Heather Gleason (Park District): heather.gleason@chicagoparkdistrict.com

 Brad Koldehoff (IDOT): brad.koldehoff@illinois.gov 

Mayor Lori Lightfoot: lori.lightfoot@cityofchicago.org       

Chief of Staff Maurice Classen: maurice.classen@cityofchicago.org

Deputy Mayor for Economic and Neighborhood Development Samir Mayekar:   Samir.Mayekar@cityofchicago.org           

Chief Engagement Officer Juan Carlos Linares: Juan.Linares@cityofchicago.org

Chief Equity Officer Candace Moore: candace.moore@cityofchicago.org  

please include us: sosideneighbors4hope@gmail.com      

 

For your convenience, these email addresses are all below, you can copy and paste them easily into your email.

 

abby.monroe@cityofchicago.org

matt.fuller@dot.gov

lee_terzis@nps.gov

nathan.roseberry@cityofchicago.org

heather.gleason@chicagoparkdistrict.com

brad.koldehoff@illinois.gov

lori.lightfoot@cityofchicago.org

maurice.classen@cityofchicago.org

Samir.Mayekar@cityofchicago.org

Juan.Linares@cityofchicago.org

candace.moore@cityofchicago.org

sosideneighbors4hope@gmail.com

 

 Suggestions for your letter:

 

  1. The AOE uses a technical definition of “adverse effects” as “any direct or indirect alteration.”  All progress “alters” existing land. In this case, the positive, beneficial changes vastly outweigh the perceived adverse effects to the park.  Say in your letter that you believe the modifications to Jackson Park, including the significance of a Museum honoring President Obama, outweigh the alterations to Olmsted's plan.  You can see what the plans are for the OPC site here.
  2. The identification of “adverse effect” is highly subjective and inconsistently applied to various historical properties.  There are numerous examples of modifications being made to historical properties even in Hyde Park that don't appear to trigger this reaction from preservationists. You can even cite that modifications to Olmsted's Central Park have also been made, including elimination of all vehicular traffic in the park (analogous to closing Cornell Drive) and the vast expansion of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a building that Olmsted originally opposed.  Both of these are seen as significant improvements to the park, yet also significant "adverse" alterations from Olmsted's plans.  These changes have not inspired similar ire from preservationists.
  3. The function of the park as a community resource for recreation, leisure, and education will not be changed and instead will be enhanced. Discuss how the museum, landscaping, playground and new public library (funded by the MacArther Foundation) will be tremendous assets to the community.  
  4. The OPC undertaking updates the use of the park to conform with resources important to the modern community (including people of all socioeconomic, educational, age, and mobility levels).
  5. The OPC undertaking is consistent with the Chicago Park District’s 2018 South Lakefront Framework.
  6. Museums, libraries, and schools have enhanced the resources available in other Chicago parks; why not Jackson Park?
  7. Questions to consider addressing in your letter: How do you and your family use Jackson Park?  What does President Obama's legacy mean to you?  Are you looking forward to the new sledding hill, picnic grounds, playground?  Are you concerned about climate change and support how the landscaping of the OPC is being planned to responding to our changing climate (see our OPC Landscaping discussion in our June 3rd newsletter)?  How will the OPC stimulate economic prosperity for our south side communities?

 

If you have questions regarding what you can do to participate in the Federal Review process, please contact us directly (sosideneighbors4hope@gmail.com) and we would be happy to advise you on what to do to be involved. 

Five Things You Can Do NOW to Support the OPC

 

1. Tell your friends you support the OPC. Voicing your support to your personal network via email, social media, or even in person discussions boosts the energy of others and gets people off the fence. You can also follow us on social media (Facebook: SoSideN4Hope, and Twitter: @SoSideN4Hope).

 

2. Do your research. An informed supporter can dispel rumors and drum up positive enthusiasm around the topic. Use our SSN4H website as a resource. Any questions, ask us!

 

3. Participate in a walking tour of the site. Imagine yourself in the space and see where this development will be in Jackson Park. Information on walking tours is available by signing up for the JPAC newsletter here or following them on Twitter (@JacksonParkAC).

 

4. Visit Jackson Park. Go for a stroll, take your kids to the playground or your dog to Jackson Bark. Tour Wooded Island, go for a walk with the birders or visit the Japanese Garden. (Don’t forget the Purple Martin Houses south of the MSI lagoon!) There are so many exciting ways to use the park. See for yourself how great the addition of the OPC will be to Jackson Park.

 

5. Sign up for the Obama Foundation newsletter. Be among the first to know about the latest details. Follow the development of the OPC as it starts the spark of revitalization of Jackson Park and our surrounding communities. The newsletter also highlights the work the Foundation is doing directly in our communities, reinforcing its mission to make the South Side, and the world, a better place for us and our children.

GET INVOLVED

Please see our GET INVOLVED page on our website. If you would like to advocate for the OPC or just get more involved with your community, please check out our new page with suggestions on how to get more involved. Included are links to our Letter of Support and suggestions about penning letters to the editor, joining Park Advisory Councils or volunteering with us or the Obama Foundation in programming to help make our communities stronger, safer and happier.

 

Download and post our Timuel Black and Five Things to Know posters and use them to engage/discuss the OPC with your family, friends and neighbors.

 

Letter of Support

Join nearly 600 UChicago and local community members to voice your support for the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park.

You can sign the letter here.

 

Volunteer!

Please consider volunteering with us.  We are currently not accepting donations, however we welcome anyone with enthusiasm, diverse skill sets and hope for our future on the southside to work with us moving forward. Go to our volunteer page to sign up.

 

Please also follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SoSideN4Hope for more frequent updates!

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