CBUC
Chicago Black United Communities
330 East 37th Street (Lu Palmer Place)
Chicago, Illinois 60653
Lu Palmer, Founder Eddie S. Read, Chairman
Friends of the Neighborhood
Friends of the Park states that its mission is to "preserve, protect, improve and promote the use of the parks and open spaces throughout the Chicago area for the enjoyment of all residents and visitors". The Friends of the Park is in direct conflict with its mission statement. The fact that they are blocking the Lucas Museum from being built on the parking lot of Soldier’s Field is in serious opposition to what they represent. The Soldier’s Field parking lot is primarily used ten Sundays a year. It is mostly used for tailgating and parking for other events. Do Friends of the Park really want to be seen as protecting a concrete space that’s used by a few (mostly non Chicagoans) who eat hotdogs, bratwurst and drink liquor 10 Sundays out of the year? We certainly don’t want our children around rowdy liquor drinking Chicago Bears’ fans.
It’s a Parking Lot. Certainly the fumes of the many vehicles as well as the burning of charcoal and other substances are not in the best interest of the Lakefront. In fact, that lot should be moved West of Lake Shore Drive. The vehicles that close to the Lake present an environmental hazard and a deterrent to small children and Senior Citizens, two vitally important citizen groups in Chicago. The children and our senior should be highly valued as participants on all park properties. The concrete pavement used as a Party Lot in its current location is an eye sore and of no value to the multitude of residents and visitors that don’t park there. Therefore, Friends of the Park are protecting a very, very small group of people for a very limited and restricted use of vital space on the Lakefront.
We, the Friends of the Neighborhood, represent a huge and very diverse group; included in that group are elementary and high-schools that study visual arts and theatre in Chicago, and adult education institutions such as Columbia College, etc. George Lucas and Melody Hobson are not just building a physical structure, the building of the Lucas Museum is the building of a great Welcome Center that will establish an important bridge for minorities, blacks, women, men, all ethnicities, various age groups and yes, maybe even races from beyond this planet that may visit from other solar systems.
The Lucas Museum must not become a political nor a judicial football in the hands of a few. The Lucas Museum must be built as the catalyst to heal and bridge, people in the original spirit of the founding fathers of the Parks. Especially the Lakefront, a unique and unbelievable place to celebrate Chicago and its diversity. The very presence of the Lakefront, positioned as it is, is a cohesive connector of all of Chicago. The Lakefront is the place where people can come as visitors to the City or as residents from the neighborhoods and feel a sense of freedom and equality. Build the Lucas Museum on the Soldier’s Field Parking Lot, it is in keeping with the objective goals and mission of the founding fathers. Furthermore, The Lucas Museum will be a great economic base!! Simply put, choose the museum over an under used parking lot.
Friends of the Park is in violation of its mission. They are giving more value to concrete, asphalt, the drinking of booze and the rowdy behavior of a few. The greatest value should be given to the residents and visitors that make Chicago’s parks great. Be a friend to the people of the neighborhood, we are the parks. Start listening to us!! The will of the people must prevail. This matter is at the core of Chicago, neighborhoods and parks. Daniel H. Burnham wanted the parks to be enjoyed by the people of the neighborhood.
Friends of the Neighborhood
Eddie S. Read, Convener
marksallen2800@aol.com
Chairman & COO National Black Wall Street Chicago
(Consumer Education and Consumer Action Project)
Founder/Lead Organizer, Illinois Voter Restoration Civic Education Project
Chief of Staff to National Chairman, National Black Wall Street USA
"And The Ordinary People Said" News Blog, www.chicagonow.com
Chairman, Community Reinvestment Organizing Project
Listed in 2012 Edition Who' Who In Black Chicago
4655 South King Drive, Suite 203
Chicago, Illinois 60653
(Office) 773-268-6900 or direct 773-392-0165
The Rev. Al Sharpton calls Mark Allen "one of Chicago's legendary political activists and one of the best organizers of his generation"
Chairman & COO National Black Wall Street Chicago
(Consumer Education and Consumer Action Project)
Founder/Lead Organizer, Illinois Voter Restoration Civic Education Project
Chief of Staff to National Chairman, National Black Wall Street USA
"And The Ordinary People Said" News Blog, www.chicagonow.com
Chairman, Community Reinvestment Organizing Project
Listed in 2012 Edition Who' Who In Black Chicago
4655 South King Drive, Suite 203
Chicago, Illinois 60653
(Office) 773-268-6900 or direct 773-392-0165
The Rev. Al Sharpton calls Mark Allen "one of Chicago's legendary political activists and one of the best organizers of his generation"
https://theblacklist.net/
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