Committees: Appropriations-Education; Higher Education; Privatization-Deregulation; Transportation
Coy Pugh<fax# 1-773-626-0065> Date: Wed, 5 Mar 1997
Dear Chancellor David Broski:
As the leader of a large state university in Chicago, it is your responsibility to take an active role in preserving the history of surrounding areas that your university is located in. Maxwell Street has played a key role in the history of Chicago and Illinois. This area has important links to many different groups who have been important in Chicago's history, and who are important in its life today. This includes the African-American, Mexican and Jewish communities.
The area was, and still is important to new immigrant groups seeking to establish a foothold in the economic life of the city. It has a rich cultural history, Blues, rock and roll, and jazz all had vital roots in this area, a fact that is recognized by scholars and fans worldwide.
UIC and your real-estate developers seem determined to eradicate any trace of Chicago's true heritage. Therefore, it is especially important to actively seek opportunities to spotlight what is unique about Chicago. Maxwell Street was one of Chicago's most famous and unique neighborhoods. The redevelopment of the Maxwell Street area provides an opportunity to tie the new in with the old. At the very least, the last block and a half of Maxwell Street should be saved.
Tourists and students should learn something about Chicago and what makes it a great city. You should create a historic district that will attract people because of its uniqueness… something they can tell their friends about with assurance that the experience can be only found in Chicago. Establish something that will educate and inform. Both tourist and local visitors will appreciate our city better and will increase awareness about Chicago's other minority landmark areas.
An urban university like UIC cannot ignore the people who created the city and the neighborhood in which it is located. Your own Great Cities program recognizes the importance of these issues, and this is a once in a lifetime chance to carry out the mission of that program.
Sincerely,
Coy Pugh
State Representative
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