Development will Recharge Economic Activity in Maywood, IL

Since its founding in 1881, Maywood, Ill., has had a long history of economic ups and downs. The town thrived for many years as a center of light industry, but with the decline in manufacturing and retail beginning in the 1970s, the downtown corridor and the bustling Madison Street between First Avenue and Seventeenth Avenue has suffered from decline and neglect. However, recently this area has been targeted for redevelopment as a retail, technological center and an artistic hub.

Chatman-Lewis Flaggs Enterprises (CLF) and the Economic Growth Initiative (EGI) are leading the way with a multi-level plan aimed at bringing growth and prosperity back to Maywood. CLF’s founder and president, Bridgette Chatman-Lewis, was born and raised in Maywood. In 2016, with the enthusiastic support of Maywood Mayor Edwenna Perkins and other far-sighted citizens, Chatman-Lewis launched a plan to help her hometown thrive again. The first phase of the transformation will be celebrated Friday December 20 when the center of Maywood’s retail district—Maywood Plaza at 1100–1123 Madison Street—is reopened as Madison Street Plaza. A full wall mural installation is also planned for Spring 2020. The wall mural will reflect Technology. Art. Innovation. This mural s sponsored by The Economic Growth Initiative (EGI) and Proviso Community Bank a Wintrust Bank. The significance of this project was and is to decrease crime (two homicides within one year- one inside the plaza) and add a better quality of retail shopping and a technology meeting space (maker space) for the community at large.

Madison Street Plaza: Retail, Technology and Art

The renovated mall measures 8,100 square feet and now has a clean, smart, upscale façade. Anchored on one side by the Proviso Community Bank, a Wintrust Bank, and on the other by a co-op area, the plaza is already fully occupied by a variety of local retailers. “The bank,” Chatman-Lewis observes, “is a much needed and valued tenant at the Madison Street Plaza. It can assist the community with real estate development, homeownership and entrepreneurship investment lending.” CLFC and EGI facilitates 3D printing, App development and Entrepreneurship classes from the plaza location.

EGI 501c3 has awarded a scholarship to one of its entrepreneurship graduates to open a business in the community at the plaza. That student was top of her class in CLF and EGI’s entrepreneurship course and has proven her business savvy and competency to run a successful business. Additionally, in 2020 two additional entrepreneurs will open businesses in the plaza (the students were also top of their graduating classes!

Next Up: Tech Incubator, Housing

The Madison Street Plaza is only part of CLFE’s comprehensive redevelopment initiative called the ‘Square Project’.

“The project name reflects the shape of the area—approximately 2.72 square miles—that’s immediately affected,” explains Chatman-Lewis. In addition to Madison Street Plaza, the plans include the construction of Madison Place, which will combine an additional incubator maker space for technology-oriented businesses and a mixed-generation condominium complex designed to serve the needs of baby boomers as well as millennials. The anticipated groundbreaking is 2020.

EGI’s Unique Five Pillar Program

Meanwhile, EGI is working on job creation and training for area residents through the Five Pillar Program. 1. SEL, 2. Health and Fitness, 3. Sports and Recreation, 4. Careers, 5. Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The organization has been forming new partnerships throughout Illinois to help men and women of all ages enjoy ‘best fit’ professional opportunities. For example, working with Microsoft, the University of Illinois Maker Lab, and local libraries, EGI has created programs in which students can learn technological and entrepreneurial skills, such as how to use 3-D printing (additive manufacturing), app/code development and business planning and start up.

“We value Maywood’s diverse community and its town traditions very highly,” says Chatman-Lewis. “We want to preserve the cultures and best practices of what makes the town unique and special to its residents- while taking full advantage of Maywood’s highly coveted location to make the village a major player in the area’s future success.” Maywood’s location with its close proximity to the expressway (s), the suburbs and the city of Chicago is undoubtedly one that would be suited to baby boomers and millennials alike. The town also has high quality medical facilities (Loyola Medical Center, Hines VA Hospital); stable, affordable housing stock and over 55 churches.

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About Chatman-Lewis Flaggs Enterprises

Chicago-based CLF helps companies streamline enterprise operations and grow revenue; facilitate partnerships; and assemble “right fit” teams. We take a comprehensive analytical approach toward solving problem areas throughout a business, focusing on needs assessment, operations, strategic planning, marketing/communication strategies, project management, global and domestic community based economic development.

About EGI

EGI is a 501(c)(3) organization that adopts underserved and disenfranchised communities across the country. We build up struggling communities by growing the economic base and engaging youth and adults in innovative programming to be of service to the community. EGI started as a business unit of CLF and is now a free standing 501c3 corporation. The two corporations work together.

Chatman-Lewis says, “Paying it forward is the most rewarding aspect of our business endeavors in underserved communities.”