Tuesday, December 23, 2008
News / Clout City On sustainability and politics
Posted by Mick Dumke on Tue, Dec 23, 2008 at 7:16 PM
A couple of years ago First Ward alderman Manny Flores was confronted with what’s become a familiar problem in Chicago and other rust belt cities: the closing of a manufacturing company and the loss of dozens of union jobs. But due to innovative thinking, teamwork, luck, and, quite frankly, a lack of proven alternatives, the building that housed the plant, at 2545 West Diversey, was saved from decline—or condos—and converted into an incubator for sustainable businesses.
It’s too soon to say if the Green Exchange, as it’s known, will become a genuine economic engine, but its early promise has pushed Flores to become one of the City Council’s most outspoken advocates for investment in the new green economy—as well as for discussion about what “green” actually means.
Flores recently sat down for a chat about the Green Exchange, the prospects for green development in Chicago, and his political aspirations.
How did this come about?
Several years ago I remember watching TV, and it was either PBS or one of the public access channels, and it was a tribute to a local business doing well. And I thought, Wow, this is great—for once we’re getting news about someone in the manufacturing business doing well! Unbelievably, a month or so later, I got a call from the owners of the company. It was for a meeting. And I remember thinking, This is either going to be really good, or it’s going to be so bad. They came into my office downtown, and they were basically there to tell me about (a) the fact that they were closing their doors, and (b) to gauge my potential support for a zoning change for the purposes of converting that into a residential project. I was upset.
I started thinking about the program I’d just seen a month ago, and I even asked them about it: ‘Weren’t you guys doing good?’ And they said, ‘Did you see the end of the program?’ And I said, ‘I didn’t.’ Apparently they’d been talking about their challenges with competing with China, and the Chinese had started producing the same quality lamps but for a fraction of the cost, and they were just no longer competitive.
A task force was formed composed of workers of the Cooper Lamp building, the Teamsters, the Logan Square Neighborhood Association, the LEED Council, a neighborhood church, and residents. My office became part of it. At first no one envisioned the Green Exchange. It was more along the lines of, ‘Can we bring in another manufacturing facility? Can we convert that into a car dealership? Can we convert it into a grocery store?’ There was even a discussion about converting that building into a charter school for the trades.
Ultimately the property was sold to Baum Development. And then I met a guy named Barry Bursak who’s very tied in to the sustainability movement. Barry indicated that he was going to be opening a green furniture-making company, and he wanted to talk to me about finding space in the ward. The first thing that came to mind was Wicker Park—I’m thinking, the Milwaukee Avenue corridor, it’s like hipster central. And he said to me that he was concerned the rental prices and property values were a little out of his range. So I put him in touch with the Baum people.
They met. And something happened, because the next thing you know, I get a call and they’re talking about this exciting new concept and it’s the first of its kind in the country—why not just simply create a very large, self-sustaining green business community under one roof? And redevelop the building, retrofit it, in a way that it has some green building certification, create a Web site, create some cross-marketing opportunities for new entrepreneurs, and then take advantage of the capacity that they’re all creating for each other? The thought being that if you’re looking to go eat at a green restaurant, you’re more likely to be a conscientious consumer about the home-improvement products you’re purchasing. Or even perhaps do your financial services with a green bank—they’re actually putting a green bank in there.
Had you previously been interested in green business development?
It wasn’t just the fact that Barry met with Baum that made me realize the potential of green—it was the manufacturing plant closing its doors, and the impact that can have in a community. There were about 110 employees at the Cooper Lamp plant, most of them Latino and eastern European; for many of them English was a second language. One day they’re working, and all of a sudden they get a notice that their job is gone. And the only thing they’ve ever done is work on some assembly line putting together a component that eventually goes to making a lamp.
For me that underscored the need for confronting the challenge that other main streets are facing every day, and that is the erosion of our traditional manufacturing base. What are we going to do as a country, as a society, to respond? Do we just throw in the towel and say we’re going to convert to a solely service-oriented economy? I think we would be foregoing an incredible opportunity for a new age of prosperity, a new age of opportunity, a new age where working folks really have a chance for upward mobility again.
And now you want to make the Addison Industrial Corridor “green” as well?
We are undertaking a study with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the [Chicago] Department of Planning, the [Chicago] Department of Transportation, my office, alderman Eugene Schulter's office, and alderman Richard Mell’s office in trying to figure out how it is we can revitalize this industrial corridor and try to figure out its future uses. I’ve been trying to make the case that what we should do is take the approach we did with the Green Exchange.
Sometimes it’s just about branding, right? So let’s make a commitment and say this area is going to be designated a special green enterprise zone or sustainable industrial corridor. Let’s actually redevelop the corridor with green public infrastructure, getting the companies to be more energy efficient, and to also evaluate how it is that they do business from within—how it is that they treat their employees. What is their impact with their local community? And looking at opportunities of parlaying that into attracting companies that are, for instance, manufacturing wind turbines or solar panels. Someone’s studying algae as we speak right now and trying to figure out how to convert that into biofuel. We have to attract those places.
This all sounds promising. But to move any of this along you’ve had to call a bunch of people and get them together—all the layers of politics and bureaucracy. Is this the only way it can happen, one block or project at a time?
I think the way it germinates is by spreading the word about this kind of activity. Then you get into some kind of competition, but it’s a healthy competition—how can we outdo each other at making the earth healthier?
Now, just down the street, east of here, is Lathrop Homes, which is an old community. The way it’s laid out is progressive for subsidized housing, but the reality is that it needs to be rehabilitated. It’s also a community where, notwithstanding everything around it, there is concentrated poverty. So given that it’s going to be redeveloped from a 900- to a 1200-unit complex, I think it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really implement the principles we’ve learned about sustainable urbanism. At Lathrop Homes we’re looking at the opportunity perhaps to come up with a new way to deliver energy. We may even try to reuse energy—how do we use reuse and recycling within the development of the community? And how do we make sure the residents are fully empowered and fully engaged in the process? Because of their proximity to one another—Lathrop Homes, the industrial corridor, the Green Exchange—we could develop a very powerful synergy and really serve as a model.
How much support do you get from the Daley administration on this? I know there’s a certain level of interest in going green, but there are also obstacles on the way, whether it’s budget deficits, a push for the Olympics, or something else.
The biggest challenge I’ve seen is in the coordination of the activities that are being undertaken by the Department of Environment and the Department of Planning and then our activities. The departments are doing some exciting things, and I think it’s unfortunate that not enough attention is given to them. Now what we need to do—and this is where I get frustrated—is to collaborate more with the legislative body and not to work in these silos where this exciting information and these exciting projects are not necessarily allowing for the engagement of others, or the collaboration of others.
Before we wrap this up: Are you running for Congress?
I haven’t made up my decision yet, but I’m seriously considering it.
You don’t live in the Fifth Congressional District, right?
I don’t, but I grew up in the district. Now, first and foremost, I am still alderman of the First Ward. Part of the ward is in the Fifth District. But I feel I need to be certain about why it is that I would want to run for Congress. I have been talking with my wife about it, and I’ll have to make a decision soon. I strongly believe that the residents should decide who their next congressman is. What I hope doesn’t happen, whether I’m in it or not, is to have the committeemen basically foisting a candidate on them.
Not that there's any history around here of—what did you call it?—'foisting.'
You like that? I paid $100,000 for my legal education.
Showing 1-20 of 20
Why are we so obsess with green,when we allowed Daley and his housing and development scam,erode our Industrial base.We are Green with no jobs. The green revolution will have to be kick started with National policies. Daley and his minions are not smart enough to Reengineer our Industrial base,with Green technology. Many the Green advocates are Green because it appears Hip or chic
Manny Flores wants to run for Congress in the 4th and than the 5th--well which is it? and does it matter to him or all districts the same? Mick, You let Manny Flores get away with a couple of real whoppers: 1. That Manny has lived in the 5th District all his life. Many lived in Texas. Manny lived in Leyden Township. Manny lived in Bensenville before he falsified an address in Chicago. That is Bensenville as in DuPage County. Manny lived in DC for law school. Manny had an address in Lakeview (the 44th ward) for a little bit. He did not even live in the 1st ward for a year when he ran and he challenged the residency law and won. So how did he grow up in the District? Is he talking about Texas or Henry Hydes old seat? 2. Did you ask Manny about all the developer money he takes? or all the development in his ward? or his connections to developers that have been in the news? That is called pay to play. 3. One of his big supporters and friends is the DEPUTY GOVERNOR FOR ROD BLAGOJEVICH!!!! no resignation and being part of a financial mess 4. The Green stuff sounds great but how many green businesses are actually in the 1st ward? How many vacancies are in the Cooper lamp building? An idea and rhetoric is great but what is he actually doing? What are the foreclosure rates in the 1st ward? and eviction? and property tax increase rates? what about substandard construction? Why don't you ask the aldermen you mentioned and ask Mell and Schulter what they think of Flores? Flores is like GRod insofar that he can't tell the truth and lies and backstabs and lies some more. Mick, you let Manuel Flores with his $100,000 legal education get away with making material mistatements of fact. That is very bad journalism and even worse aldermaning. Manny is a pay to play fundraising quid pro qou money man who does conflict of interest fundraising with developers.
RAHM EMANUEL: This is Rahm. ROD BLAGOJEVICH: Hey Rahm, yeah it's Rod. EMANUEL: Uh-huh. What's going on governor, I'm busy. BLAGO: Well, it's about that Senate appointment... EMANUEL: We already gave you the list of people we like. BLAGO: Yeah, I been looking the list over. Interesting names. Good people. How's the transition going? EMANUEL: It's going fine, governor. Are you calling to fucking tell me anything, or what, cause I-- BLAGO: No no, I'm just wondering if you have all your picks already made. I heard something about Dashle for HHS-- EMANUEL: I'm not gonna discuss ongoing deliberations, gov, you know that. BLAGO: Hey, come on Rahm, let's not act like I'm a stranger here. EMANUEL: Did I call you a stranger? If I thought you were a stranger, you think I'd be interrupting my important fucking business to take this fucking phone call? BLAGO: Hey you don't have to get curt with me, Rahm. EMANUEL: This isn't me being curt, Gov, this is me being fucking busy. Now what did you call about? BLAGO: I'm just feeling you out, seeing if Valerie [Jarret] still wants that Senate seat, just wondering what kind of priority that is for the President-Elect. EMANUEL: Actually, it's not a priority. Valerie's had second thoughts about the job. BLAGO: What, she doesn't want it anymore? EMANUEL: She's having second thoughts. You want more details, you ask her. BLAGO: She won't take my calls. EMANUEL: Big fucking surprise. BLAGO: What's that supposed to mean? EMANUEL: Um, I don't know, what's it supposed to mean governor? A.) You're a fucking crook. B.) You're a fucking asshole. C.) All of the above. BLAGO: I'm clean Rahm, you know this. You think that fucking Fitzgerald would being twiddling his fucking thumbs if he had shit to go on? EMANUEL: I gotta go, Gov. You appoint who you want, we really don't give a shit. BLAGO: What if I appoint Valerie, what if she takes it? EMANUEL: What do you want me to say? We'd appreciate it, I'm not gonna fucking kiss your ring over it. BLAGO: "Appreciate it"? Come on, this is a senate seat we're talking about. It's worth a fuck of a lot more than appreciation. EMANUEL: You asked us for a list, we gave you a fucking list, you want to make your own list then make your own fucking list. [Raising voice] But if you're asking for anything else from me, or Barack, or Valerie, then you can fucking stop talking right now Rod. BLAGO: Wait a sec there Rahm. Wait just a fucking minute. Who are you to talk to me like that? I fucking made you. EMANUEL: You made me? You made me? Tell me you're fucking joking. BLAGO: No no no, you listen to me shit-face. You see this list I got, the names motherfucking Obama fucking wants for the Senate. I just ripped it in two. How you like that? Oops, Harris just dropped it in the shredder. Harris? HARRIS (muffled): Yes sir? BLAGO: Did you just drop that list in the shredder? [Whirring, shredder noise] HARRIS (muffled): I did. EMANUEL: Do you have me on fucking speakerphone? BLAGO: It's in the shredder, Rahm. The list is bye bye. EMANUEL: Hold on a sec -- you got me on fucking speakerphone? Who the fuck do you think I am? BLAGO: Who are you Rahm? Who are you? You're shit, you hear me? Don't come back to Chicago Rahm, it's not your town any more. EMANUEL: Pick up the phone Rod. BLAGO: I'll put someone in the senate who will fucking fuck you. I might even put myself in there, how you like that Rahm? How you gonna explain that to fucking Barack, every time he's gotta call me up for my fucking vote. He'd have to take my calls then, wouldn't he? EMANUEL: [Screaming] I said pick up the FUCKING phone! BLAGO: [Picks up phone, speakerphone off] I got your attention now, didn't I? EMANUEL: Shut the fuck up and listen to me for one second Rod. And I want you to listen carefully, because this is the last time I'm ever going to talk to you. You are fucking dead to me. You been fucking dead to Barack since '06, now you're dead to me. Know what that means? That means you're dead to my people in Chicago, Daley on down, and all these friends you think you have aren't gonna touch you with a ten foot fucking pole. BLAGO: Oh now you're the fucking Godfather? Fuck you. EMANUEL: No fuck you. Fuck you. Fuck you. BLAGO: Fuck you! EMANUEL: Listen up asshole. The shit's gonna hit the fan, maybe tomorrow, maybe next month, and when Fitz finally brings down the hammer it's gonna be my name that's going through your head. You won't know the hows or the fucking whys, but it's gonna have my fucking fingerprints all over it. Have a great life fatso. BLAGO: Hey fuck-- EMANUEL: [Click.] End of conversation
http://207.41.16.133/rfcViewFile/08cr1061.pdf Blogo + Obama= tony Rezko
I am very interested in locating the substandard construction in the 1 ward,or any other ward in Chicago. Please help. I want to start a class action law suit against Daley .
Re: All commenters You can criticize me or anyone else you like all you want, but if we continue to get bigoted, homophobic, or sexually graphic comments, the whole comment board will be removed. Then, "Orion" et al, you'll have to return to the old boring routine of pleasuring yourselves in private.
I missed this part: http://blogs.chicagoreader.com/news-bites/2008/12/22/reader-remains-hands-creative-loafing/ time to fire up the old resume, eh ?
Life is beautiful. Another year on the books, building up to a Bobbie Steele-like pension.....
Great Comments about the Reader's demise: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/towerticker/2008/12/report-chicago.html If it means the end of this worthless blog, then it is worth it.
"You don’t live in the Fifth Congressional District, right? I don’t, but I grew up in the district." Mick, you dimwitted poor excuse for a journalist--MANNY DIDN'T GROW UP IN THE DISTRICT!!! HE GREW UP IN TEXAS AND LEYDEN!!! You allowed him to make a false statement.
"Another year on the books, building up to a Bobbie Steele-like pension.....", and a stroger sr. culmination. Your relatives are hoping for an extra special Xmas in 2009.
This guy reminds me of Frank Coconate.http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/26/us/26Santa.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/26/us/26Santa.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
I'm such a loser I never let up. Not even on Christmas Day.
Life is beautiful, but the afterlife isn't. My riches will be naught in Heaven. My meanness will send me to Hell. *waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh*
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/26/us/26Santa.html?... The guy looks more like a young Pat Levar. On the subject of Alderman Manny Flores. He doubled crossed allot of people that helped him get elected and those same people will work against him his next election. hello jesse!!!
How long before your heirs divvy up your assets, pick through the personal items you leave behind, and toss most of them into a dumpster?
I'm Back ! As fast as you delete, I can repost. We can play this game all day !
.... because I have nothing else in my life.
It seems that some people like to Dumpster Dive in The suburbs these days. I saw a news story and some guy with a Liberace/Elvis Presley Pompadour hairdo was really gettig all pumped up in the snow to go Dumpster Diving. I guess it takes all types in this town. Tell him to stay away from the cat food.That stuff will have him confined to a hospital and eating Banquet T.V. Dinners with little cans of Sprite.
Latest in The Blog
-
Too New to Review: Prairie Fire, Leo's Coney Island, the Southern, Revolution Brewing Company, and More
Prairie Fire, Leo's Coney Island of Chicago, the Southern, and other restaurants too new to review.
- Feb 8, 2010
-
Fewer Shoes on the North Side
Times are tough for shoe stores too.
- Feb 8, 2010
-
When Golden Earring Were Good
Wait, Golden Earring was good?
- Feb 8, 2010
- More»
Author Archives
-
Don't blame Alexi
Eluding his critics, saying the right things to the right people, and giving off the smell of a winner, Alexi Giannoulias is starting to look like he'll land in the U.S. Senate.
- Feb 1, 2010
-
The Preckwinkle Bandwagon Is Rolling
Toni Preckwinkle is getting help for her campaign from the kind of people who tend to back winners.
- Jan 26, 2010
-
The parking meter lawsuit guy makes a run for comptroller
When he's not suing the city and state over Chicago's parking meter lease deal, Clint Krislov is running for state comptroller.
- Jan 29, 2010
- More»
Top Commenters
Comments (20) RSS