We have a Dream for North Lawndale —

Chicago has many vacant lots – our neighbourhood has over 3000 alone. Almost all of the vacant lots were once a business, a home, a place of worship — something that contributed to civic life, connection, and belonging. The City of Chicago has tried selling them for $1. It has tried many programs including gardening, side yards for existing home owners with vacant property next door, and others through the years.

Stand on our corner, 16th and Homan, and you will see plenty of vacant property. We have claimed a lot to use. We have fenced it, mulched it, and occupy it as community space. Ultimately we want to build on it, this drawing imagines building with shipping containers.

The city has yet to respond to our request to own the lot for these purposes.