New Senior Housing Building in Roseland

Sheilah Robinson, manager of Roseland Special Service Areas (SSA)  #40 and #41 thanks Mayor Richard M. Daley for his support of the Roseland community during his 20+ years in office. (Photo Credit: Antonio Dickey/City of Chicago)
Sheilah Robinson, manager of Roseland Special Service Areas (SSA) #40 and #41 thanks Mayor Richard M. Daley for his support of the Roseland community during his 20+ years in office. (Photo Credit: Antonio Dickey/City of Chicago)

by Thelma Sardin

As part of his 50 Ward Neighborhood Appreciation Tour, Mayor Richard M. Daley dedicated a new senior housing building in the Roseland community on April 20. Joined by 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale, Daley told the crowded room at the Roseland Senior Campus, Working together, weve brought Chicago into the 21st century and given it a bright future. Its been a joy and an honor to be your Mayor.

The 3.5 acre Roseland Senior Campus is located on 104th and Michigan. It features three buildings offering a variety of housing and service options, including supportive-living, independent-living and intergenerational housing for grandparents raising their grandchildren.

At Wednesdays building dedication, Mayor Daley dedicated the second building in the campus, the Roseland Place Senior Apartments, a 60-unit affordable rental housing development.

Daley also thanked Beale for his hard work in the 9th Ward since becoming alderman in 1999. The Mayor called Beale an effective alderman.

Beale also praised Daley. If you know him like I know him, [you know] hes not going far. He doesnt know how to sit down, Beale said of Daleys upcoming mayoral retirement.

The event became emotional when two community workers thanked Mayor Daley for his many years of service.

Sheilah Robinson, manager of Roseland Special Service Areas (SSA) #40 and #41 fought back tears while expressing gratitude to Daley for his steadfast commitment to the Roseland community. Thank you for all of your hard work, for your commitment to our alderman [and] our community Robinson said adding that she loves the mayor and will miss him.

An SSA is a program to fund expanded services and programs through a localized property tax levy within contiguous industrial, commercial and residential areas. SSA-funded projects could include but are not limited to: security services, area marketing and advertising assistance, promotional activities such as parades and festivals, or any variety of small scale capital improvements which could be supported through a modest property tax levy, according to the City of Chicago website.

Diane Latiker, president of Kids Off The Block (KOB) told the crowd, When you got an ally you definitely dont want to lose them, she said speaking of Daleys support of her organization.

KOB is a non-profit organization in Roseland whose mission is to provide at-risk low income youth positive alternatives to gangs, drugs, truancy, violence, and the juvenile justice system, according to its website.

Daleys last day in office is May 16, Mayor-Elect Rahm Emanuel will be sworn in at that time.

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