Ashland Ave What Happened ??? Gentrification Tour

December 30, 2024 | John Kugler |
December 30, 2024 | John Kugler |

(Chicago) North from Beverly to the United Center … 230 pm Dec 29 2024 … Running north on Ashland from 95th to Madison and once in a while jumping on a side street going east west or north south …

John Kugler narrates a detailed journey along Ashland Avenue in Chicago, highlighting its transformation from a predominantly white, Irish Catholic area to a mixed-race neighborhood with significant gentrification.

Observes boarded-up businesses, closed churches, and abandoned buildings, linking these to gentrification and economic manipulation with at least one Walgreens and Two CVS stores closed on major intersections.

Discusses the historical context of neighborhood changes, including the impact of the Great Migrations and the role of banks and real estate markets.

Touches on the socioeconomic challenges faced by residents, such as drug use and crime, and criticizes local government policies for exacerbating these issues.

Discusses the gentrification of a predominantly Black neighborhood on Ashland Ave, highlighting the demolition of the historic Montefiore Academy and the construction of new townhomes.

Criticizes the economic motivations behind tearing down institutional buildings, like schools, which he argues are resilient and historically significant. Kugler

Emphasizes the negative impact of forced air HVAC systems on health, contrasting them with central heating systems. He also

Mentions the historical significance of Cold War-era buildings designed to withstand atomic blasts.

Conversation ends with Kugler reflecting on the broader societal changes and wishing his audience a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Transcript http://otter.ai

Action Items

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Outline

Ashland Avenue Gentrification Tour

Begins by describing his plan to ride Ashland Avenue from 95th Street to his area, mentioning the local McDonald’s where he is getting coffee and a donut.

Comments on the weather, noting it was beautiful the previous day but is now rainy and getting colder.

Expresses interest in exploring different McDonald’s and how they operate, wishing everyone a good new year and a merry Christmas.

Introduces Sub X News, emphasizing their commitment to real, uncut, and unedited live reporting.

Exploring Ashland Avenue’s Changing Neighborhoods

Turns north on Ashland from 95th Street, planning to ride on the east side of Ashland and point out neighborhood changes.

Describes Beverly as a traditionally white, Irish, Roman Catholic area with beautiful mansions, noting the presence of boarded-up houses even before reaching 95th Street.

Discusses the concept of gentrification, mentioning the book “The Slaughter of Cities” and its argument that gentrification is set up by people who run things.

Highlights the closure of businesses and churches along Ashland, attributing it to gentrification and white flight.

Gentrification and Its Impact on Local Businesses

Continues north on Ashland, pointing out closed businesses and abandoned auto shops, emphasizing the lack of shopping and car maintenance in the area.

Discusses the book “The Slaughter of Cities” again, explaining how it argues that gentrification is set up by people in power to manipulate neighborhoods.

Mentions the closure of a McDonald’s and the poor quality of coffee, expressing frustration with the service.

Plans to continue riding north on Ashland, possibly all the way to Edgewater or Rogers Park, and wishes everyone a good new year.

Historical and Current Neighborhood Changes

Describes the historical changes in neighborhoods along Ashland, from white to black to Hispanic, and the impact of gentrification on local businesses.

Mentions the closure of a Walgreens and a CVS, questioning why these essential stores are shut down in predominantly black neighborhoods.

Discusses the book “The Slaughter of Cities” again, explaining how it argues that gentrification is driven by people in power who manipulate neighborhoods for financial gain.

Highlights the presence of boarded-up buildings and abandoned lots, attributing it to the manipulation of neighborhoods for financial gain.

Gentrification and Its Socioeconomic Implications

Continues north on Ashland, discussing the socioeconomic changes in neighborhoods and the impact of gentrification on local residents.

Mentions the closure of a French fry joint and the presence of a person sleeping in the rain, questioning why the person can’t be allowed inside the closed business.

Discusses the historical migration patterns of Irish and black residents and how gentrification has impacted these communities.

Highlights the presence of boarded-up buildings and abandoned lots, attributing it to the manipulation of neighborhoods for financial gain.

Gentrification and Its Socioeconomic Implications (Continued)

Continues north on Ashland, discussing the socioeconomic changes in neighborhoods and the impact of gentrification on local residents.

Mentions the closure of a French fry joint and the presence of a person sleeping in the rain, questioning why the person can’t be allowed inside the closed business.

Discusses the historical migration patterns of Irish and black residents and how gentrification has impacted these communities.

Highlights the presence of boarded-up buildings and abandoned lots, attributing it to the manipulation of neighborhoods for financial gain.

Gentrification and Its Socioeconomic Implications (Continued)

Continues north on Ashland, discussing the socioeconomic changes in neighborhoods and the impact of gentrification on local residents.

Mentions the closure of a French fry joint and the presence of a person sleeping in the rain, questioning why the person can’t be allowed inside the closed business.

Discusses the historical migration patterns of Irish and black residents and how gentrification has impacted these communities.

Highlights the presence of boarded-up buildings and abandoned lots, attributing it to the manipulation of neighborhoods for financial gain.

Gentrification and Its Socioeconomic Implications (Continued)

Continues north on Ashland, discussing the socioeconomic changes in neighborhoods and the impact of gentrification on local residents.

Mentions the closure of a French fry joint and the presence of a person sleeping in the rain, questioning why the person can’t be allowed inside the closed business.

Discusses the historical migration patterns of Irish and black residents and how gentrification has impacted these communities.

Highlights the presence of boarded-up buildings and abandoned lots, attributing it to the manipulation of neighborhoods for financial gain.

Gentrification and Its Socioeconomic Implications (Continued)

Continues north on Ashland, discussing the socioeconomic changes in neighborhoods and the impact of gentrification on local residents.

Mentions the closure of a French fry joint and the presence of a person sleeping in the rain, questioning why the person can’t be allowed inside the closed business.

Discusses the historical migration patterns of Irish and black residents and how gentrification has impacted these communities.

Highlights the presence of boarded-up buildings and abandoned lots, attributing it to the manipulation of neighborhoods for financial gain.

Gentrification and Its Socioeconomic Implications (Continued)

Continues north on Ashland, discussing the socioeconomic changes in neighborhoods and the impact of gentrification on local residents.

Mentions the closure of a French fry joint and the presence of a person sleeping in the rain, questioning why the person can’t be allowed inside the closed business.

Discusses the historical migration patterns of Irish and black residents and how gentrification has impacted these communities.

Highlights the presence of boarded-up buildings and abandoned lots, attributing it to the manipulation of neighborhoods for financial gain.

Gentrification and School Demolition

Discusses the dilemma of whether to build houses or schools first, using a humorous analogy to highlight the absurdity of tearing down a school.

Emphasizes that the money for the school was for a special education school, serving the most vulnerable students.

Points out that the area is predominantly black, with a history of Hispanic and Italian residents before that.

Mentions the historical significance of Montefiore School, which has been replaced by town homes, and the issues with mold due to poor construction in the new buildings.

Historical Context and Institutional Buildings

Explains the historical context of the area, mentioning the Fiori School and its transition to a Waldorf school before being replaced by town homes.

Discusses the concept of institutional buildings, which were built to withstand atomic blasts during the Cold War.

Highlights the architectural significance of these buildings, which were designed to be fire-resistant and withstand atomic blasts.

Mentions the presence of bomb shelters and atomic bomb kits in these buildings, which were part of the Cold War era preparations.

Gentrification and Its Impact on Black Communities

Criticizes the gentrification process, which he believes is driven by economic interests rather than necessity.

Discusses the demolition of the Ida B. Wells projects and the central heating plant, which he argues were unnecessary.

Emphasizes the historical and cultural significance of these buildings, which are being replaced by more profitable developments.

Mentions the forced relocation of black families and the erasure of their history from the area.

Architectural and Institutional Changes

Talks about the architectural changes in the area, including the replacement of old buildings with new constructions.

Discusses the impact of these changes on the community, including the loss of historical and cultural landmarks.

Mentions the reconfiguration of Crane High School and Malcolm X College, and the development of the United Center as a tourist attraction.

Highlights the role of architectural and institutional changes in the gentrification process.

Gentrification and Future Development

Discusses the future development of the area, predicting that it will become more tourist-oriented like Wrigleyville.

Mentions the introduction of bike lanes and other infrastructure changes as part of the gentrification process.

Emphasizes the economic motivations behind these changes, which are driven by the desire to attract tourists and increase property values.

Discusses the impact of these changes on the local community, including the displacement of long-time residents.

Final Thoughts and New Year Wishes

Wraps up the conversation by summarizing the key points discussed, including the impact of gentrification, forced relocations, and institutional changes on neighborhoods.

Emphasizes the importance of understanding the driving forces behind these changes and their impact on communities.

Wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, encouraging everyone to enjoy the holiday season and appreciate their families and friends.

Signs off, expressing his love and well wishes for the future.

SubX.News® on-the-spot reporting

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Abandoned Businesses Entire Corner 94th and Ashland

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