Community Participatory Research to Support CTA Red Line Extension
(01/2012 - 12/2012)
Courtesy of Chicago News Report
CURL worked in partnership with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and the Developing Communities Project (DCP), a faith-based organization serving Greater Roseland, to conduct a livability study of the impacts of a proposed Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red Line Extension. The proposed extension would allow the CTA Redline to go beyond its current South branch terminal at 95th street to a new terminal near 130th street, with intermittent stops near 103rd, 111th, and 115th streets. This project builds on the partnerships that have been developed by DCP and its Red Line Oversight Committee (ROC) over the past 8 years to advocate for and support the Red Line Extension project. Further, the project is part of CMAP’s Local Technical Assistance Program (LTA).
CURL completed approximately 15 focus groups and 20 one-on-one interviews with community residents and stakeholders from the Greater Roseland communities which would be impacted by the extension. These Far South Side Community Areas include: Roseland, Pullman, West Pullman, Washington Heights, and Riverdale. The focus groups represent perspectives from a variety of stakeholder groups within the project area, such as: business owners, representatives from a day care network, senior citizens, public housing residents, homeowners, churches, young families, community organizations, medical community members, environmental activists, workforce development groups, and suburban commuters. The focus groups and interviews discussed the current use of public transportation and commuting patterns, the impact of a South Side extension of the Red Line to the Far South Side communities, and individuals’ histories and experiences in their communities.
The final product of this work was a series of community profiles and stories captured through videos, asset maps, and other promotional materials. The goal of these products is to show the human impacts of bringing new transit service to the South Side of Chicago, thus enforcing the connection of both federal and local efforts to increase “livability” across the region. Through the creation of these products, DCP will have additional tools that will help to sustain the community momentum of this regionally prioritized project and convey the importance of the CTA Red Line extension to federal, state, and local stakeholders.
Reports
Research Team
D. Van Zytveld, CURL
J. Hilvers, CURL
C. Turner, Graduate Fellow
G. Estilo, Undergraduate Fellow
Community Partners