Global Journal of Human Social Science, C: Sociology and Culture, Volume 22 Issue 1

© 2022 Global Journals Volume XXII Issue I Version I 11 ( ) Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2022 C The Revanchist City: Downtown Chicago and the Rhetoric of Redevelopment in Bronzeville Source: U.S. Census Bureau Figure 6: Percent Change in Median Home Vale and Rent for Grand Boulevard East) (1960-2000) The trend data in Figure 6 (see above) confirm the disinvestment on the east side of Grand Boulevard from 1950 to 1980. The percent change in median home value from 1960 to 1970 was -11.7% while the percent change in median rent was modest and stagnant 15.3% (see Figure 6). The reinvestment in the community occurred when the ground rent was at its “lowest”— indicative of low home and land prices, stagnating rents, and vacant lots. Thus, Bronzeville through the devalorization/disinvestment cycle is primed for profit (reinvestment) with most of the beneficiaries tied to the city of Chicago’s middle and White ruling class elites, private developers, bankers, land speculators, and real estate brokers. The modest increase in the percent change in median home value and rent between 1970 and 1980 was followed by a three time increase in the percent change in median home value (from 44% to 133.7%) from 1980 to 1990. The reinvestment along the eastside of Grand Boulevard continued from 1990 to 2000 with the percent change in median home value increasing to 263.1%. Meanwhile the percent change in median rent declined from 1990 to 2000 (71.9% to 56.4%) along the east side of Grand Boulevard. This is a result of the new housing vintage on the east side of Grand Boulevard comprised mostly of single family homes, Town Homes, and Condominiums. The available rental market on the east side of Grand Boulevard is shrinking. The reinvestment in Grand Boulevard east is contiguous with the recent reinvestments plans in the Chicago community areas of Oakland and the western border of Kenwood/Hyde Park. Moreover, reinvestment on the east side of Grand Boulevard correlates with the high density of vacant lots in the same area (see Density Maps 2 and 3). Source: Black Metropolis Physical Quality of Life Database Map 2: Density of New Construction in Bronzeville 2000-2004