Aldermen propose community benefits agreement to protect residents from displacement by Obama Presidential Center

Five months after their constituents overwhelmingly demanded it, two South Side aldermen are keeping their promise to introduce a community benefits agreement intended to prevent the proposed, $500 million Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park from displacing area residents.

Former President Barack Obama has said he opposes a community benefits agreement because the center on the South Side, where his political career started — and where former first lady Michelle was raised — will be an economic engine strong enough to lift up the surrounding community.

Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20^th) doesn’t buy it.

The rookie alderman is confident she and Ald. Leslie Hairston (5^th) will muster the votes for the community benefits ordinance they plan to introduce at Wednesday’s City Council meeting — over the former president’s objections.

“They’re already being pushed out. ... I get phone calls every day about trying to help families find somewhere to stay, or them telling me they’re moving to another community to double up with another family,” Taylor said.

“We’ve got a house in Woodlawn … selling for $568,000. Who in the heck with a median income that’s $24,000 can afford that home? Not me. Not me. I pay $1,000[-a-month]. That’s not lights. That’s not gas. That’s not cable. That’s not kids. That’s not my cat.”

Mayor Lori Lightfoot campaigned on a promise to try to hammer out a community benefits agreement to protect area residents.

Lightfoot said Tuesday she is “not up to speed” on the proposed ordinance. But she acknowledged it is important for the city to “respect the rights of the people living in that community” who are “feeling neglected by the efforts so far.”

What form should protections take?

“Unfortunately, because of lots of things that have happened in our city over time, there’s not trust unless there’s something in writing, signed,” she said.

“I’m not suggesting that that’s where we will ultimately get to. But, the rights of the community have to be recognized and respected.”

Taylor countered that families struggling to stay in the neighborhoods she represents “can’t afford to wait.” If they do they’ll be “homeless,” Taylor said.

“I get tired of people talking out of one ear and doing something totally different. Her actions will prove who she says she is,” Taylor said.

“She supported the CBA ordinance. She said it should have been done on the front end. Now is the time to walk the walk.”

Hairston said earlier drafts of the community benefits ordinance had “everything under the sun.” The new version is “more focused.” It deals specifically with housing because of both the fear and reality of displacement.

“Studies have shown that the rates are rising in Woodlawn. They have been rising over the past decade..... And we don’t want people to be displaced....We want to make sure that the people who live there can stay there,” she said.

The proposed ordinance would implement protections within two miles of the Obama center.

In that area, the affordable housing set-side requirement would triple — from 10 percent to 30 percent. Developers of new or renovated for-sale or rental units no longer would have the option to pay a fee “in lieu of” creating affordable units on-site.

Whenever developers are required to create 10 or more affordable units, at least half would have to be multi-bedroom units; 40 percent of those must have at least three bedrooms.

City-owned vacant land would be set aside for affordable housing and to boost home ownership by area residents.

The ordinance also would require the owners of multi-family residential buildings to give the Department of Housing and building residents at least 180 days’ notice if the property will be sold or transferred.

To prevent displacement, the department would be required to maintain a list of qualified purchasers, including nonprofits, for-profit companies, community land trusts and land banks with a “demonstrated commitment” to affordable housing.

During the 180-day period, “qualified buyers” and residents would have a right of first refusal to purchase the building.

The ordinance also would establish a “Community Trust Fund” to support property tax relief, other affordable housing strategies, and job training.

The Obama Foundation responded to the proposal with a statement:

“We want our neighbors who have called this community home for decades to be able to continue to live on the South Side as long as they wish. We appreciate the work done by many community organizers to keep affordable housing top of mind for policymakers, and we applaud our new Mayor and aldermen for making it a priority to give South Side residents the tools they need to remain a vibrant part of this community,” the statement said.

In a non-binding February referendum, just under 90% of voters in four precincts covering parts of Jackson Park, Woodlawn and Washington Park supported a benefits agreement.

Obama initially denied his presidential center would cause displacement. When residents kept pushing for written protections, the foundation tried to appease them by upping the ante for minority contractors and promising job training, among other things.

A revised master agreement for the presidential center approved by the City Council last year sought to protect homeowners closest to the site — but didn’t put those promises in writing.

Instead, City Hall agreed to keep a close watch on property values and other demographic indicators in the surrounding area. If there are dramatic changes, the Department of Planning and Development pledged to do what’s necessary to prevent longtime residents from being pushed out. But, city planners wouldn’t say what would be done, and the master agreement doesn’t include specific steps.