Passport To Auburn Gresham Trolley Tour Gets Stamp of Approval
Norma Sanders
Published: August 30, 2014
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2014
An old-fashioned Trolley Tour of the area was offered, as part of the Pillars of Auburn Gresham celebration. Two separate reserved-capacity-filled Big Red Trolley tours, originated at the Greater Auburn
Gresham Development offices, located at 7901 S. Racine. The tour, hosted approximately seventy visitors, included a delicious continental breakfast, a viewing of the "Pillars of Auburn Gresham" the movie, and visits with a realtor (Century 21 and CGR), mortgage/Lending institutions, (BMO Harris Bank and Southside Federal Credit Union) and a housing counselor (Neighborhood Housing Services/ MMRP), all providing a passport stamp needed to be entered into the events raffle. The passport to Auburn Gresham Trolley Tour showcased/provided information on many MMRP listed properties, multi-units, bungalows, and prime business space, as well as historical sights and structures throughout the quaint Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
Thanks go out to Loretta Minor of BMO Harris Bank for sponsoring a fundraising raffle for the event; Her team Aldo Quinones, Affordable Lending Mortgage Banker, for speaking with each resident that stopped by to understand mortgage options and graciously stamping their passports.
Thank you to Janece Simmons, Auburn Gresham/Englewood Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) for her reflective message introducing "The Pillars of Auburn Gresham" movie and her continued commitment to our communities.
Participants gave a huge thanks to Carlos Nelson, executive director of the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) for his continued support in Auburn Gresham and surrounding communities. They in particular commented on his inspiring messages to promote the key factors of what makes a community great, "...it takes committed residents, strong schools, support of local businesses, recreation and most of all good housing inventory." If you have not had the opportunity of being on one of Mr. Nelson's tours, make sure you sign up early for next years' Trolley Tour. With his love of Chicago and its rich neighborhood history committed to long term memory, you will not be disappointed!
Carlos' narrations have a way of helping you visualize the star qualities and potential of a neighborhood (past and future) that are many times overlooked by the media and sometimes even forgotten by residents. His tours remind us all of the power and strength of a community coming together to invest in maintaining and growing our housing stock.
Carlos and the GADC staff once again want to thank the participants who joined us early on this Saturday morning. You make our work pleasant and possible. Huge thanks to our partners, especially BMO Harris Bank for your generous support of your time and raffle prizes for the Auburn Gresham Trolley tour, Toi Robertson-Smith for your commitment to selling the quality property in the Auburn Gresham community and Henrietta for the wholehearted support of another great lending product option through the Southside Federal Credit Union, open to all on the Southside and the city of Chicago! Many thanks!!!
Aldo Quinones (BMO Harriss Bank), Toi Robertson-Smith (Century 21), Harlette Washington (Southside Federal Credit Union), Janece Simmors (NHS), Loretta Minor (BMO Harriss Bank), Carlos Nelson (GADC) [left to right]
Another special thank you to LISC Chicago for the seed grant to help to make the trolley tour Pillars of Auburn Gresham celebration possible.
Several GADC staff join second Trolley Tour in the historic Highland Theatre 500 seat auditorium.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the 9th Annual Auburn Gresham Renaissance Festival on Septebmer 6th, 10:00am-7:00pm. Why not spend the day with us? Now you know you won't regret it!
Keywords:
79th Street Renaissance Festival, Auburn Gresham Trolley Tour, BMO Harris Bank, Century 21, Housing, NHS, Pillars of Auburn Gresham, Southside Credit Union
Posted in Auburn Gresham in the News, Business, Housing, Economic Development