Ald Emma Mitts
Austin residents over 18 eligible for COVID vaccines at two new sites
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Starting Friday, Austin residents 18 can sign up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at either of two new vaccination centers in Austin.
Ald. Emma Mitts
City selects developer for Laramie State Bank building
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The Austin United Alliance, led by Heartland Alliance and Oak Park Regional Housing Center, has been selected as the developer for the Laramie State Bank building. It was one of seven proposals considered by city officials, who made the announcement Monday in Austin.
37th Ward
City to soon pick developer for Laramie State Bank building
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Two of seven groups vying for the right to develop the iconic building received the highest score in a community survey as the city moves closer to selecting a winner. 548 Development’s ”Soul City Steam Center” and Brinshore and Westside Health Authority’s “Soul City Center” each earned a 3.6 score. The winning proposal could be announced as early as this week.
29th Ward
Austin Town Hall gets funds for repairs, renovations
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The facility at 5610 W. Lake St. will be getting up to $1.5 million in TIF money. That funding will partially cover costs associated with upgrading the building’s electrical service, improving ADA access, and remodeling and restoring parts of the interior including the auditorium.
News
New businesses coming to Chicago Avenue
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Austin native Marseil Jackson plans to open an art gallery, wellness lounge and recording studio along a stretch of Chicago Avenue being developed as the Soul City Corridor. He’s purchased a vacant building in the 5800 block of Chicago Avenue to house Soul City Studios, which after renovations he aims to open early next year.
Black Panther Party
Black Panther leader’s family attends Judas and the Black Messiah screening
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Akua Njeri and Fred Hampton Jr., the fiance and son of Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton Sr., attended a pre-release screening of “Judas and the Black Messiah” last week held at Kehrein Center for the Arts.
29th Ward
West Side residents help decide how $1 million will be spent in the 29th Ward
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Sixty percent of the $1 million will go to street repairs and resurfacing in the ward. The rest of the projects to be funded – and listed here in order of popularity – are: street safety upgrades, community gardens, a fitness course at the Austin Town Hall, bike lanes, a mural in Columbus Park and public art at Sayre Language Academy. Nearly 400 residents voted this time around.
health
Austin Walmart doling out COVID vaccines, but there’s concern over who’s getting the shots
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The Walmart Supercenter in Austin is offering COVID-19 vaccines, but some are concerned the mostly African American community isn’t taking advantage. City data shows 2,742 people in the 60639 ZIP code, where the Walmart is located, have received their first dose. At 3.1% of the ZIP code’s population, it’s among the lowest vaccination rates in the city.
COVID-19
As Chicago’s vaccination program expands, questions remain for some
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Chicago has moved to phase 1B of vaccine distribution, which includes people 65 and over and many essential workers. While some people are jumping at the chance to get the two shots, concern remains over misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine, especially among African Americans. The Westside Health Authority’s Good Neighbor Campaign held a meeting last week aimed at debunking misinformation and encouraging Austin residents to get vaccinated as soon as they can.
Development
City officials seek feedback from residents on future of Laramie State Bank
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The Chicago Department of Planning and Development hosted two community roundtables last week to get West Side residents’ input on proposals for developing the Laramie State Bank and surrounding land. Attendees expressed concern over how the projects would grow wealth, benefit the Black community and ensure community engagement.