75th Street Businesses Summon Entrepreneurs to Sewer Project

75th Street Business District
FACT SHEET

The 75th Street Business district extends from 75th and State Street to Cottage Grove on the south side of Chicago. Over the past two years, additional name tags have been added to this booming south side business district.  Renaissance Row was coined by Theodore Boone of Exxxtreme Big, Tall & Smooth Menswear to accentuate the strong variety of African-American businesses on 75th Street.  He also has in mind that if Black businesses act with integrity, character and collectively, they would be able to overcome any economic difficulties.

Another name for 75th Street that has emerged is the Black Wall Street District reminding people of the self-sufficient Black Wall Street days in Oklahoma.  It is believed that 75th Street is a setting for the re-creation of that idea.

WHAT ABOUT 75TH STREET

• -Over 100 businesses have collaborated to help themselves and their neighboring businesses survive the ‘inconvenient but necessary’ 75th Street Sewer Project.

• -The 75th Street Sewer Project is scheduled to last from February through November 2009.

• -The goals of the collaboration of 75th Street businesses are to:
• Grow individual business
• Help each other grow and develop
• Help develop, engage and enrich the community(s) in which they do business and serve.
• Stop the loss of business during the 75th Street Sewer Project and any other major        infrastructure improvements.

WHO WE ARE:

• Over 100 businesses, churches,  service organizations and political offices located on 75th Street between State Street and Cottage Grove.

• A well established business district with longevity of service ranging from 40+ years to one month.

• Well fashioned and assortment of business selections.

• A business district housing historical properties as well as being surrounded by a Historical Bungalow District.

• A predominately African-American business district surrounded by some of the oldest African-American middle class communities in the country.

• A business district housing over 10 churches and service organizations.

• Surrounded by stabilized communities for nearly 50 years.

WHO WE SERVE

• 75th Street runs and is surrounded by several African-American Communities.  East of the Dan Ryan includes Greater Grand Crossing, Chatham, and South Shore.  The 1990 Census shows the Retail Potential for Greater Grand Crossing is $417 million annually.  Retail sales equal $172 million, with 245 million being spent outside of the community.

• With the downturn of the economy and some of life’s other casualties, the communities surrounding 75th Street are being stressed and challenged from an aging middle-class homeowners, population and income shift resulting in over-crowdedness, higher crime rate, insufficient resources and infrastructure investment.

CHALLENGE:  A NECESSARY INCONVENIENCE

The long overdue sewer project began March 2009 with the utility companies initiating the 1st stage of the project by protecting their lines and wires in preparation for the installation of all new sewer lines. The partial blockings of intersections was a trifle inconvenience, giving no clue of what lay ahead. The last week in July 2009 was the actual start of the installation of the new pipes. Discontinuation of parking within the entire block between Indiana and Prairie and the re-routing of CTA and blockades being established from Indiana to Calumet, completely shut off reasonable access to thriving businesses.  One local business reports sales lost from $1500 per week to approximately $100 per week.  Complaints of excessive dust in businesses, drivers speeding through the unpaved lanes, added loitering and a deep sense of helplessness and the continued question of parking head the list as the project continues.

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

• The 75th Street business collaboration has asked for help from the City of Chicago’s Water Department.  Their response has been to attend weekly meetings with the businesses, provided and distributed 1000 flyers at the Bud Biliken Parade informing Chicagoans that 75th Street is Open for Business, provided additional signage listing all businesses from State Street to Cottage Grove, provided scheduling and timeframe information about the project and they will update regularly.

• Establishing a Media Campaign:

                  To get the community to know about businesses on 75th Street
                  To know goods and services available on 75th Street
                  To get shoppers to go out of the way to Walk-Dine-Shop on 75th Street

• Monitoring construction progress and interfacing with the City of Chicago Water Department.

• Identifying and seeking solutions for issues such as:

                  Parking
                  Dust blowing in businesses
                  Security
                  Signage
                  Scheduling

• Developing strategies to getting shoppers to walk or drive around the ‘necessary inconvenience’ to support the businesses which are heavily impacted.  Shopping on 75th Street will not only assist the businesses but it helps to insure that a thriving business district will continue to support a thriving residential area.

• Creating a Walk, Shop, Dine campaign through local distribution of brochures, flyers, newsletters which will post special shopping incentives, discounts, prizes, contest and other kinds of initiatives to show off the business district.  Local residents and visitors are encouraged to walk the blocks, receive special gifts and incentives.

• Initiating security and safety measures while working in collaboration with CAPS so that people will enjoy shopping their business district.

• Walk-on-Down campaign for residents within a four block radius will encourage residents to tour their neighborhood as well as shop at local businesses.  This will help residents to understand the value of their dollars circulating within their own community.

• Engage youth in developing the technology that will market 75th Street.

•  Stories from the 75th Street businesses will hopefully lead to an impact study recording the short and long-term impact of the ‘inconvenient but necessary ‘sewer project.

SPECIAL EVENTS COMING TO 75TH STREET

The Black Wall Street Parade on Saturday August 29, 2009.  The finale to the parade will be held at 75th and Eberhart.

Walking Business Seminar for new and existing entrepreneurs will be held on Friday September 18, 2009 on 75th Street.  Successful business owners will participate in a unique “walking seminar” in which neighbors and interested people from around the Chicago land area can learn more about starting and operating small businesses.  Participants will get the big picture of entrepreneurship by visiting multiple stores.  Prizes and discounts will also be available.

The Moveable Feast will come to 75th Street on Saturday September 19, 2009 where people will Walk, Shop, Dine 75th Street.  Some special activities will include a walking fashion show, a health walk and a beauty shop contest.  Listen for more exciting activities, sales, discounts and prizes.

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