Green Chicago, White Chicago

Here's an article about Greening of Chicago. There is nothing said about the gentrification of Chicago-sending people of color out of the city as the white people from the suburbs are brought back in.

Old Chicago Factory Finds New Life as Green Exchange

CHICAGO, Illinois, April 5, 2007 (ENS) - A four-story concrete loft building in Chicago that once housed an underwear company is being renovated according to LEED certified standards to become the Green Exchange, the city's first business community committed to environmental sustainability, profit and positive social impact.

Green Exchange will include an organic restaurant and caf�, a sustainable furniture store, a green building supply company, an eco-friendly printer, architects and designers focused on sustainability, an environmentally-friendly clothing company, a car sharing service, and a bike shop. The first tenants will move in at the beginning of 2008.

The 250,000 square foot Green Exchange located at 2545 West Diversey Avenue is a project of Baum Development LLC, a comprehensive commercial real estate development firm.

The redevelopment has the support of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. "We want Chicago to be a shining example of how a major urban area can live in harmony with its environment � and we want our city to be an advocate for green practices in city planning, construction, energy use and day-to-day management of government and the private sector," said Mayor Daley.

"Green Exchange is a great example of the public/private partnerships that are working together to help make Chicago one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the nation," the mayor said.

The project's architects Hartshorne and Plunkard intend to preserve many of the existing historically significant features. The team will comply with LEED standards when renovating by incorporating an energy efficient environment, a green roof, clean air quality, a landscaped courtyard, bike rooms, meeting and event space, and priority parking for hybrid vehicles.

Green Exchange seeks to broaden the sustainable business marketplace from niche to mainstream. For more information, visit: www.greenexchange.com.