Over 250 people registered to watch and participate in Preservation Chicago’s Investment Through Preservation In Roseland Panel Discussion in partnership with Open House Chicago on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. A huge thank you to our panelists, OHC partners and Preservation Chicago staff for making it such a tremendous success.
Link to Recording of the Panel Discussion
“After decades of disinvestment, could historic preservation be used as a tool to help rebuild vibrancy in the Roseland neighborhood? Watch the roundtable discussion, co-convened with OHC 2020 community partner Preservation Chicago.
“In its prime, South Michigan Avenue in Roseland was a well-regarded shopping district that supported the Roseland and Pullman communities and drew in visitors from other areas of the South Side. Once referred to by residents as “The Avenue,” Roseland’s Michigan Avenue Commercial District is now on the “Chicago 7 Most Endangered” list, compiled annually by Preservation Chicago. In addition, Roseland is included in the City of Chicago’s INVEST South/West initiative.
“This program looked at the toll divestment has taken on the Roseland community, what it will take to revitalize the area, and how historic preservation might be a successful tool for spurring economic development.
PROGRAM MODERATOR: Mary Lu Seidel is the Director of Community Engagement for Preservation Chicago, working throughout the City of Chicago to save significant built and natural environments. Her current projects include leading a community-driven planning process in disinvested neighborhoods to identify what is important to the community and strategies to keep those places intact. Prior to joining Preservation Chicago, she worked at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. She has extensive community building experience over 30 years in the Chicago area market working in economically and ethnically diverse areas.
PROGRAM SPEAKER: Andrea Reed has been the Executive Director for the Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce since its inception in 2009. She is on the board of Preservation Chicago, the Illinois Green Alliance, and Women Gathering for Justice.
PROGRAM SPEAKER: Paul Petraitis is a lifelong Chicago resident who is a musician, photographer and historian. A local expert on Roseland history, he was a historic advisor to the writing of “Down an Indian Trail in 1849: The Story of Roseland.”
PROGRAM SPEAKER: Clevan Tucker Jr. is the President of the Roseland Heights Community Association (RHCA) and a member of the Red Line Extension Coalition (RLEC). As President of the RHCA, Clevan works for the needs of the community, covering all aspects of neighborhood living—socially, culturally and economically.
PROGRAM SPEAKER: Erika Sellke, AICP, is an urban planner with the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development. She is the lead planner for the Far South Region, which includes the INVEST South/West corridors of Michigan Avenue, 111th Street and Commercial Avenue.
