Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Chicago cohousing

[King Collins (greenmac]

Craig said:

>The "Woodlawn group" is moving forward with our plans. I
>recently joined with a "core group" of about 18 people who
>are discussing the process of putting together a cohousing
>group at 63rd and Woodlawn, in Chicago.  Levy Rivers
>(waldo [at] ais.net) is also participating, but as a consultant.
> I'm not sure if Levy is interested in living in the
>cohousing or not. (Levy?)
>
>The group's plans currently include taking about 1/2 block
>of dilapidated buildings and empty lots and creating a 23
>-30 unti mixed income, mixed race, mixed generation
>cohousing development.  Plans are VERY sketchy at the
>moment, although a boarded up building has been purchased,
>and a video is being put together to recruit potential
>members and financing.  There are also talks with the
>people who control several vacant lots near the boarded up
>building.

This sounds good!

>... one of the problems with the U of C
>approach (which pioneered "urban development" in the late
>1950s and 1960s) is that it pushes out all the "locals" and
>replaces them with yuppies and university types. The
>cohousing group wants to fight this trend by remaining
>mixed income.

I would think your chances of maintaining a "mixed income" community would
be greatly increased by mixing commercial with residential units. Some of
the commercial spaces, businesses, might have live-in apartments attached.
The classic family-run grocery store is a model.

 But there are many kinds of businesses that could anchor or provide a base
for those who are not students and do not have professional incomes.

For example: a launderette run by a family (or a cooperative) who live in
the area.

A multimedia learning center organized by local people, perhaps in
partnership with the University, a place where basic skills (the three Rs)
and "advanced" skills (digital media) could be taught.

A cybercafe?

A village is both living and working, is it not?



King Collins and Joan Kelley
296 Gardens Ave.
Ukiah, CA 95482
Voice: (707) 462-4543
   Fax: (707) 462-6873
   Net: greenmac [at] pacific.net