Auburn Gresham
Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corp.
Year founded
2001
Leadership
Carlos Nelson
cnelson@gagdc.org
Executive Director
NCP staff
Contact information
1159 W. 79th St. Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 483-3696 phone
(773) 483-3692 fax
http://www.gagdc.org
Organization mission
To foster and promote revitalization of the community by designing and implementing programs that (1) improve the community's economic viability; (2) increase the availability of quality housing to people of different income levels, while maintaining and improving existing affordable housing; and (3) enhance the delivery of social services, particularly to senior citizens.
Vision for the future
To welcome a growing population of middle-class residents into a "community of choice" that is one of the city's safest. An article in the Chicago Sun-Times "Homelife" section might tout Auburn-Gresham as "the gateway to urban living."
- From a visioning session held in May 2003.
Accomplishments to date
The Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corp. (GADC) was formed in 2001 to support and coordinate the new development and investment coming into the Auburn Gresham neighborhood. It works closely with St. Sabina's Employment Resource Center, Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) and 17th Ward Alderman Latasha Thomas and in 2003 initiated a community quality-of-life planning process through the New Communities Program. In 2004, GADC and the Employment Resource Center hosted free tax-preparation services at the center's offices at 79th and Racine.
The area has received some $250 million in city investment during the past six years, including a new police station at 79th and Halsted that has helped improve safety and $45 million toward educational resources. A new Osco and Walgreen's have boosted retail, while St. Sabina’s Elders Village has added senior housing.