Blacks In Green Wants To Bring Apartments, Shops And Gardens To City-Owned Lots In Woodlawn

Blacks in Green is pushing to acquire four city-owned lots in Woodlawn to develop a mixed-use project that includes apartments and storefronts for small businesses. The $11. 15 million initiative aims to create 20 apartments, with 16 being market-rate and others designated as affordable for low-income households. Three of the lots will feature community gardens, including the existing Sustainability Teaching Garden and Mamie Till-Mobley Forgiveness Garden. A new sculpture garden will honor Emmett Till and connect to the future Till-Mobley House Museum.

The development will also include retail spaces intended for small, locally-owned businesses. A community meeting is scheduled for 6 p. m. Monday at Bessie Coleman Library, where residents can vote on the proposal. The project meets requirements set by the Woodlawn Housing Preservation Ordinance, which promotes affordable housing.

Blacks in Green has secured nearly $2 million toward the project's funding and is pursuing additional financial support.