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New HUD Secretary Julian Castro Attends Groundbreaking for Senior Center

By Wendell Hutson | August 20, 2014 6:37pm
 U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro visited Chicago Aug. 20, 2014.
HUD Secretary in Chicago
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WOODLAWN — A Wednesday groundbreaking ceremony for a new 64-unit senior housing development was the first site visit newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro has made.

"Earlier today I was in Gary, Ind. and now I am in the Windy City. But this is my first field visit as secretary," Castro said to a group of 100 people who attended the groundbreaking for the new facility at 6100 S. Cottage Grove Ave. "I know this is the Windy City but I can say that the winds of change are blowing in a positive direction here in Woodlawn."

The secretary, who was joined by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Ald. Willie Cochran (20th), whose ward includes the senior building, and local residents, added that Chicago is attempting to provide affordable housing options to all residents.

"Chicago truly is at the vanguard of a century of cities," Castro said. "I was the mayor of San Antonio not long ago but now I am here in Chicago as the HUD secretary."

In addition to the senior development, construction is underway next door at 6116 S. Cottage Grove Ave. for a 19,300 square-foot complex for the nonprofit METROsquash, which teaches students from fifth grade through high school how to play squash.

“The game of squash instills good sportsmanship, and is low-cost, year-round activity open to boys and girls with no age, size or physical strength barriers,” said Paul Cussen, chairman of the METROsquash board. “The unique combination of squash and academic instruction along with mentoring, cultural enrichment and community service help students with their self-confidence, independence and academic training in preparation to be successful in middle school, high school ... and to and through college.”

Both projects, which are expected to open in 2016, are part of Woodlawn Park, a mixed-income development that replaced the former Grove Parc apartment buildings.

Cochran said affordable housing developments are needed in Woodlawn and throughout the city.

"The need for affordable housing will always be great so development should always be taking place somewhere in the city," Cochran said.

The mayor said he appreciated Castro's visit and looked forward to seeing him in town again as more affordable housing developments are built.

"Projects like this senior building are a representation of Chicago much like the Jackie Robinson West team battling it out in the Little League World Series," Emanuel said.

But as the groundbreaking ceremony ended, a group of 15 protestors gathered across the street and repeatedly yelled, "Rahm Emanuel has got to go!"

Roderick Wilson, executive director of Lugenia Burns Hope Center in Bronzeville, was among the protestors who want the city to build housing to replace apartments lost after the Harold Ickes Homes were torn down.

"The city, HUD and the CHA have plans for days to build all these new affordable housing developments but do not seem to be making any plans to build replacement units for the Harold Ickes Homes," Wilson said. "The city has the money and land to do everything else like a stadium for DePaul, but drags their feet when it come to the Ickes. That's why Rahm Emanuel has got to go."

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