CHA's $1.5 billion plan reaps 50 percent minority contracts

CHA's $1.5 billion plan reaps 50 percent minority contracts

Calling Chicago's public housing a "national symbol of failed urban policy," U.S. Secretary Andrew Cuomo signed over the weekend a historic accord with Mayor Daley that gives minority businessmen 50 percent of the contracts involved in an unprecedented $1.5 billion overhaul plan.

Calling it unprecedented, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-1) said 50 percent of the contracts from this $1.5 billion award will go to minority contractors. "That's in the deal. There will also be no demolition without housing units available for relocated residents," echoing what Daley said earlier.

The mayor said his critics thought he was "crazy" for tackling the CHA issue but pledged to fulfill his vision of providing affordable housing for the residents including giving 50 percent of the contracts to minority-owned businessmen.

But, Rush called for unity over the minority contract victory saying "it's time out for the crab-in-the-barrel" infighting amongst Black contractor groups.

Rush made his remarks during a press conference held at the Ralph Metcalfe Building, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., where he was joined by Mayor Richard M. Daley, Cuomo, CHA CEO Phillip Jackson, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-7th), state Sen. Margaret Smith (D-3rd), several aldermen and state representatives, Central Advisory Council (CAC) Chairperson Mamie Bone, CHA CEO Philip Jackson, and many others.

Rush's call for unity was in response to Omar Shareef, president of the African American Contractors Association, saying "I find it extremely disturbing that elected officials used Black groups and associations to justify their so-called concerns regarding African American participation by asking for 50 percent of all contracts to go to Black groups and associations.

"When you look around, the associations are not getting contracts, they're getting blocked out, and minority contractors are laughing all the way to the bank off of our efforts and that is not right," Shareef said.

Rush warned: "In order for the African American community to successfully complete and meet the goal of 50 percent, then, we'll have to have everyone on board with a common unity of will and unity to make this happen.

"There should be a collective time out from this squabbling among contractors, among leadership. This is serious money, a brilliant opportunity and we have to maximize our efforts in a united front in order for us to realize the economic potential" to meet these goals, Rush said.

"This 50 percent would not have taken place had I not risen above the disunity, the factionalism that exists and risen above the squabbling, the crab-in-the-barrel attitude that's too prevalent in our community," Rush told the Chicago Defender.

"There are obstacles we have to overcome, the issue of availability of performance bonds and the certification process. We've got to overcome those two obstacles. There will be some creative ways to accomplish these goals," he said.

The agreement, negotiated by CHA residents, Rush, Davis and others, ensures that CHA will get 10 years of block grants and other funding that includes more than $1.5 billion in redevelopment funds to tear down and replace or renovate 25,000 public housing units.

"This plan for transformation is an economic engine for transforming the lives of tens of thousands of people and improving the quality of housing for the 131,000 residents who live in CHA," Jackson said.

"The thing that impressed me most about this process is the sophistication of the residents and the resident leadership. They negotiated hard, made great decisions, compromised when necessary, and absolutely held out for what was in the best interest of all of the residents who live in public housing.

"I thank Mayor Daley and the residents who live in public housing for this wonderful opportunity to head the CHA during this time of challenge, transition and transformation," Jackson said.

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