Municipal Economic Development

Summer brings more people outside. Empty strip malls, unlocked pools, crumbling garages and idle warehouses can draw trespassers and create safety risks. You may see more code complaints and calls for help during warm months. Municipal leaders can seek emergency...

Municipal leaders across South Chicago may encounter persistent fiscal challenges in managing chronically delinquent, abandoned real estate. These "zombie titles" represent a severe drain on community resources and deflate the local property tax base. When a property...

As South Chicago prepares for spring revitalization projects, local officials are shifting their focus to the annual budget. For a Board of Trustees or a City Council member, a dilapidated property or an abandoned storefront is both an eyesore and a direct financial...

Municipal economic development is often discussed in terms of incentives, infrastructure and attracting new investment. Yet, without thoughtful enforcement mechanisms in place, none of these concepts play out in reality to their full potential.  Land use regulation,...