Pullman celebrates five years as National Monument

Ninth Ward Alderman Anthony Beale spoke during the 5th celebration of Pullman as a national monument. Photo Credit: Tia Carol Jones
Ninth Ward Alderman Anthony Beale spoke during the 5th celebration of Pullman as a national monument. Photo Credit: Tia Carol Jones

Pullman celebrates five years as National Monument

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Community residents, politicians and business leaders celebrated the milestone of Pullman being designated a National Monument on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Hotel Florence.

In his opening, 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale said he was excited to celebrate the benchmark. “We are in the middle of a huge renaissance of development and bringing jobs and opportunities into our community,” he said.

Beale commended President Barack Obama for taking a chance on Pullman, as well as the community residents for staying vigilant. He said the community understood what needed to be done and they did it.

“The community had been lobbying for a long time to have the areas designated as a National Monument, but we could never really get over that hump,” he said. “The community would not take no for an answer.”

Beale also commended former Mayor Rahm Emmanuel for being a partner.

“We know it could not have happened without my friend, my mayor, Rahm Emmanuel. He understood it and he embraced it and he was my partner every step of the way. We know none of this could have happened if he hadn’t made the call to the President,” he said.

Beale said he was in contact with Emmanuel every step of the way in the National Monument designation process. He also credited Emmanuel with the economic growth of the neighborhood.

“When you are talking about Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, somebody who stepped up, somebody who helped me bring Method, Gotham Greens, Ross, Planet Fitness,” he said. “All those stores, all that renaissance, all those jobs that you see happening is because we had a partnership in moving this community forward.”

Emmanuel talked about Pullman and the tenacity of its residents. “Thirty years ago, back in the rearview mirror, people were writing off Pullman,” he said. “You all never gave in.”

Emmanuel used the Method Factory, located on 900 E. 111th St., as an example. He said the factory was on their way to build the factory in Battle Creek, Mich.

“And, when they saw what the community of Pullman would do to get those jobs here, and that they would do that much work, they stopped at the border,” he said. “That became the basis where everybody wanted to take a second look. It’s a tribute to the spirit, can do attitude that is in this room and emanates outside these walls.”

Emmanuel spoke about the industrial piece, with the Whole Foods Distribution Center and Gotham Greens. And, he acknowledged that the National Monument was the service part.

“Pullman proved all the skeptics and all the cynics. We’re proving that Pullman is thriving and that it’s got a tomorrow,” he said. “We have a lot of work ahead of us to make sure these pictures become a reality.”

Valerie Jarrett, former senior advisor to President Obama, could not attend the event but did speak via Skype. Jarrett said she remembered touring Pullman and thinking it had rich potential. “Pullman is really symbolic of what is good and right about our city,” she said.

Pullman also has seen some significant development in recent months. The Amateur Athletic Union has announced plans to make the neighborhood the site of its Midwest headquarters. Pullman Artspace Lofts opened to residents. And, plans have been made to renovate the Clock Tower and Administration Building and turn it into a Visitors Center.

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