Friday, May 20 was a great day for Bickerdike, our many partners and the Logan Square community, as we came together for a historic moment. The ribbon cutting celebration for the newly named, Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments, an Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD)located just steps away from the Logan Square Blue Line station.

The program began with an invocation by Pastor Bruce Ray: “What was a dead parking lot is now full of life. These 100 units are the promise that no one will be displaced, no one will be unhoused, and no one will be afraid. Today we rejoice in the blessing of community.”

Bickerdike CEO, Joy Aruguete then announced that Emmett Street Apartments would be renamed the Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments and the new sign was revealed.

Lucy Gonzalez Parsons was a labor rights activist of African, Mexican, & Native descent. She dedicated her life to liberating working people from capitalism & racial oppression and led the fight for the 8-hour work day. Learn more about her legacy here.

The program was capped with the official cutting of the ribbon and followed by a celebration that included tours, food, music and a variety of family-friendly activities.

Program highlights

“It is absolutely vital that families not only have a place to call home and raise their kids, but also have access to public transportation and walkable amenities.” ~ Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot

“It is fitting because Lucy’s life and story—the story of a working-class woman of color who fought for the needs of working people against great odds—mirrors the story of our community and how our community fought to make this housing development a reality.” ~Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th Ward

“This is more than a building. This was truly a community process and a community victory.”  ~Marisa Novara, Commissioner, Department of Housing

“When rich people get subsidies, it’s called progress. When poor people do, it’s called charity. Affordable housing is not charity. It is justice, especially in the face of displacement.” ~ Juliet de Jesus Alejandre, Executive Director, Palenque LSNA

“As you tour the units in the building, you’ll see that the quality of this building is amazing. It’s high-quality, affordable rental units that ensure that long-time residents, people who grew up in Logan Square, can continue to call this neighborhood home.” ~Ahlam Khouri, Senior Development Manager, Chicago Housing Authority

“Bickerdike showed up, gave 100 families a safety net, gave us hope, opportunity, and affordable housing. We are deserving and truly grateful.” ~ Danetta Bush, Resident, Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments

To support projects like the Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments visit our donation page or text 2614Emmett to 243725.

View event media:

Photos

Celebration Video

Full program Video

Thank you! 

Bickerdike would like to thank our many partners for making Emmett Street Apartments a reality. 

Honorable Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot 

Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35^th Ward 

 Chicago Housing Authority 

 City of Chicago, Department of Housing 

 City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development 

Alderman Harry Osterman, Chairman, Committee on Housing & Real Estate 

Citibank 

National Equity Fund 

Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen, P.C. 

Local Initiatives Support Corporation 

Palenque LSNA

Logan Square Ecumenical Alliance 

Logan Square Preservation 

Logan Square Chamber of Commerce 

Linn-Mathes Inc. 

Landon Bone Baker Architects 

Chicago Police 14^th District 

United Neighbors of the 35^th Ward 

Metropolis Coffee Company 

Puerto Rican Agenda

U.S Bank  

Our Logan Square Neighbors 

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT: Emmett Street Apartments Ribbon Cutting & Renaming Celebration

WHEN: Friday, May 20, 2022, 9:30-10:30 a.m. program, 10:30-1:30 p.m. celebration/open house

WHERE: 2614 N. Emmett Street, Chicago, IL 60647

WHO:
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot
Alderman Carlos Ramirez- Rosa, 35th Ward
Logan Lu, Spoken Word Artist
Community Members
Joy Aruguete, CEO, Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation

Chicago, IL – Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation (Bickerdike) will host a Ribbon-Cutting and Renaming program and celebration on Friday, May 20, at 9:30 a.m.

Developed by Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation and designed by Landon Bone Baker Architects, Emmett Street Apartment is a 100-unit transit-oriented development that will provide quality affordable homes to residents who are at risk of displacement as rents continue to rise in Logan Square. The proximity to public transportation will provide greater access to employment opportunities and to all that Chicago has to offer.

Public registration is encouraged on Eventbrite.

For more information, media representatives can contact Communications Manager, Libby Juliá at 872.772.0332, communications@bickerdike.org, or register here.

Download all recipes here: Fruit-Infused Water

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Last June we released a statement in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder. Sadly, not a year later, and only weeks into the trial of his murderer, we must join the voices of the individuals and organizations speaking out against the violence against black and brown people. In just two weeks, two young men have lost a future of unknown potential at the hands of a system that should be in place to serve and protect—one of these young men, Adam Toledo, a 13-year-old Chicago resident.

We offer condolences to the families who are experiencing this unimaginable grief, as well as the Little Village community. Know that we are mourning with you.

As we have during our 54-year history, we continue to stand in solidarity with our community; our residents, staff, board, neighbors, and particularly the Black and Latino communities and those on the front lines of the ongoing fight for justice and equity. We will continue to work with our elected officials and other public servants to engage our residents in the safety of their communities.

We commit ourselves to continue the work to fix our broken systems.

One of these broken systems has resulted in a housing crisis, which has disproportionately affected black and brown people and created instability in their lives. Severely cost-burdened households are more likely than other renters to sacrifice other necessities like healthy food and healthcare to pay the rent. They are also more like to experience housing insecurity with situations like eviction.

Stable housing creates opportunities for education, jobs, and community engagement. The whole community benefits when individuals feel a sense of stability. Bickerdike continues to address these challenges head-on through our work.

We are preserving our current housing stock with recapitalization and rehabilitation projects such as the Victory Apartments Preservation and working on new construction developments such as the Emmett Street Apartments. Additionally, we are engaged in promoting fair housing and balanced development policy initiatives through advocacy and organizing efforts.

We are committed to redoubling efforts in 2021 and beyond, ensuring that Chicago remains a city for all of its diverse residents. We believe everyone should have a place they call home in a community they can call neighbors.

There’s No Place Like Home wasn’t just the theme of this year’s annual membership meeting, as we continue facing the effects of COVID-19, the words become more meaningful to all of our lives.  Read more »

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Chicago Housing Assistance

The Department of Housing and the Department of Family and Support Services have several initiatives to provide housing cost assistance to Chicago residents impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Read more »

Recently, we’ve used our social media platforms to shine the spotlight on a couple of graduates who are Bickerdike residents. We want to honor Hector and Victor, and other graduates because it’s a difficult time when they’ve missed their graduation ceremonies and all the events leading up to it. But we also wanted to recognize their scholastic achievements. Read more »