Quad Communities Development Corporation - Home page

NEW VIDEO: From Civil War to Civil Rights and Beyond

11/4/2009, 4:32 PM

Monday, November 2, 2009

Lisa Glass

Tour the Black Metropolis, a corridor rich with the cultural history of African-Americans in Chicago. The Quad Community neighborhoods of North Kenwood, Oakland, Douglas and Grand Boulevard are home to famous artists, poets and musicians. Visit the the Chicago Blues Museum and then take a spin by Little Black Pearl Workshop, where talented kids blossom into full fledged stars. As you continue your stroll, you’ll hit barricades, of hope not despair: They signal the home of Quad Communities' most famous neighbor — President Barack Obama, who lives at 51st and Greenwood.

You can also view a photo slideshow version of the presentation narrated by QCDC's own Lisa Glass.

Connect 4

11/2/2009, 11:10 PM

Monday, November 2, 2009

Lynn Kardasz

On Saturday the same venue, The Gabriela, located at 4315 S. Cottage Grove, opened its doors to the community to view a visual art exhibit, sample food from local eateries, hear a host of guest speakers expanding on topics such as community and retail development and an opportunity to shop at neighborhood businesses by way of a free trolley. QCDC has embarked upon many projects throughout the four communities including new murals, planters, banners, acorn lighting, bike racks and the weekly Bronzeville Community Market.

Through its partners, QCDC provides technical assistance to local business owners, helping them sustain and grow their businesses. In the fall of 2009, QCDC, along with the City of Chicago will open a neighborhood park on 43^rd Street, creating warm and welcoming space for community residents.In addition, QCDC works with Dyett High School and Chicago Botanical Gardens to create Dyett’s Green Youth Farm and spearheads the innovative Elev8 program at Reavis Middle School which provides creative after school programming and integrated services for its students.

The Connect 4 Event also served as a catalyst to relaunch CG43, the Cottage Grove Retail Association under its new name, United Bronzeville Businesses. This group of entrepreneurs is located in the 4 communities and works collectively to ensure the success of one another, the corridor and the community.

Please visit http://www.connect4qcdc.webs.com/ to see pictures of the event and view our slide show celebrating our local retail corridor.

WLS-TV profiles Hooked on Drums

7/1/2009, 11:26 AM

WLS-TV recently profiled Hooked On Drums, the South Side-based organization that brings the upbeat, inspiring rhythms of African djembe drumming from the Malinke people in Guinea , West Africa to kids in urban Chicago. The group offers classes and youth drum performances through the Chicago Park District, local schools and community organizations. To see the video, click here.

More than just a way to “blow off steam” or “keep kids off the street,” the program gets kids hooked on authentic, traditional music, allowing them to explore African heritage while sharpening their minds on a complex musical idiom.

SHOP BRONZEVILLE

9/3/2009, 3:46 PM

Cottage Grove Avenue

Faie African Art of Bronzeville
773-268-2889 | 4317 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

Sensual Steps Shoe Salon
773-548-FEET | 4518 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

Ain’t She Sweet Café
773-373-3530 | 4532 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

43rd Street

Heaven on Earth Dog Daycare & Spa
773-548-3647 | 450 E. 43rd Street

Bronzeville Coffee & Tea
773-536-0494 | 528 E. 43rd Street

Agriculture (Men’s Apparel)
773-538-5500 | 532 E. 43rd Street

47th Street

Simply Soups & Sandwiches
773-373-3610 | 635 E. 47th Street

Bahdy Therapy (Massage Therapy)
773-344-7124 | 712 E. 47th Street, Suite 102E

The Goree Shop (Men’s & Women’s African Apparel)
773-285-1895 | 1122 E. 47th Street

Z & H Market Cafe
773-538-7372 | 1126 E. 47th Street

Visit transitchicago.com for public transportation information.

Quad Communities Development Corporation SSA #47 Established

9/24/2008, 10:41 AM

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Quad Communities SSA #47 Established

After months of community planning, Quad Communities Special Service Area #47 was approved by City Council on September 8, 2008.

Special Service Area #47 is charged with the responsibility of using this economic development tool to assist in cleaning, beautifying and revitalizing the Cottage Grove and 47th Street Retail Corridors.Advisory Commissioners typically review budgets and contracts that help to better the retail corridor of Quad Communities.

Quad Communities Development Corporation, the Sole Service Provider, is currently accepting Advisory Commissioner applications to fill the non-paid role of appropriating SSA funds.

Qualifications:

Every Commission member should be prepared to serve for at least 2 years with the ability to renew at the end of that time.

Rationale: To ensure that the Commissioners cycle off of the SSA Commission in a manner that is not disruptive and preserves the institutional knowledge of the Commission.

No more than two SSA Commission seats will be occupied by non-property or business owners at any one time.
Of the two seats available to non-property or business owners, one will be open to a residential property owner within the SSA boundaries.

Rationale: To ensure that the Commission remains focused on the needs of the commercial/retail district.

Please view the map provided to see if your property is located within the boundary. If so, and you have an interest in serving on the Advisory Commission, please fill out the application provided and return to QCDC by October 20, 2008.

If you have any questions, please call Lynn M. Kardasz at 773.268.7232.

QCDC is located at 4659 S. Cottage Grove, Suite 204.We at QCDC look forward to working with you.

Quad Communities Food Survey Shows Overwhelming Support for a local Farmers' Market

3/18/2008, 11:31 AM

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Bernita Johnson-Gabriel

Over the last 4 years, Quad Communities Development Corporation (QCDC), a local non-profit organization that oversees neighborhood planning and development, has actively worked with the City of Chicago, 4th Ward Alderman, and local developers to improve the quality of life in the Quad Communities of North Kenwood, Oakland, Douglas and Grand Boulevard. The development of a market in Bronzeville is part of a broader effort that QCDC has been leading to expand retail and entertainment options in the community.

Currently, the vast majority of food related businesses within the Quad Communities are limited service and low-end grocers and fast food restaurants. While the supply of quality food is low, the demand is high. In 2004, according to a study completed by LISC/MetroEdge, an urban market research firm, $26.8 million in food related spending by local residents was done outside of the Quad Communities of North Kenwood, Oakland, Douglas and Grand Boulevard. Also, two of the four neighborhoods within the Quad Communities, as well as four adjacent communities, have been identified as food deserts - having little or no access to grocery stores - in researcher Mari Gallagher’s report, “Examining the Impact of Food Deserts on Public Health in Chicago.”

After years of aggressive, unsuccessful marketing and outreach to high-quality regional grocers, QCDC decided to lead the creation of a local market where residents and visitors can purchase healthy fresh and prepared foods. QCDC began the market planning and development process in August of 2007 by partnering with Sustain, an organization that works to connect local farmers and consumers, and O-H Community Partners, an economic development consulting firm. Together they conducted two focus groups and administered nearly 200 surveys to local residents and daytime workers. The results of this survey are presented here.

Key Community Survey Findings:

There is a tremendous unmet need for fresh, quality food in Bronzeville

Approximately 200 respondents were surveyed and at least 400 persons potentially impacted
The vast majority of respondents are African American women that reside in Bronzeville
Only 6% of respondents selected community area stores as their top produce provider
Most respondents regularly purchase poultry, dairy and eggs, fish/seafood, and beef
84% of respondents drive to their shopping destinations
73% of respondents have shopped at a farmers’ market; however , 27% of respondents have not largely due to inconvenient locations and lack of awareness. 36% of foods purchased from farmers’ markets are organic.
Respondents across all income segments reported that they would shop at a farmers’ market in Bronzeville. Only 2% of respondents reported that they would not shop at a farmers’ market in Bronzeville

The local customer base is economically diverse and spends frequently and handsomely on groceries

Nearly 50% of respondents report HH incomes of $50,000 or above, of which nearly half report incomes of $100,000+
African Americans are well represented across all income segments
53% of respondents shop on weekends and 68% shop at least once a week
Approximately 47% of respondents spend $31 or more per week on produce
The majority of respondents prefer the cash payment option; however, 50% of respondents would like the option of paying with credit

Customers overwhelming prefer fresh foods; however they also require a mix of locally and non-locally grown produce

93% of respondents prefer fresh produce
The top 10 regularly purchased vegetables are locally grown; however, 3 of the top 5 regularly purchased fruits are not locally grown

Customers will shop at a farmers market located in the community that operates on Sunday with a diverse array of educational and entertainment activities and events

Respondents prefer 35th and King Drive and Cottage Grove Avenue locations for a farmers’ market
Only12% of respondents reported that they will not shop on Sundays
20% to 40% of respondents would like to see kids activities, an antique market, music, and cooking demonstrations

Please click here to download the full report.

QCDC is looking for high quality vendors of produce, prepared foods, crafts, and more! Please click here to download an application.