The City Council today approved a $105,000 financial measure to support the planned development
of the Bloomingdale Park and Trail on an abandoned Northwest Side rail line.

The funds, which will be provided by Open Space Impact Fees, will be used for legal costs associated
with the eventual transfer of the property from Canadian Pacific railroad to the City of Chicago, and
the termination of billboard advertising contracts along the line. Open Space Impact Fees are
special fees charged to new housing developments to help pay for new open space and recreational
amenities for residents.

Active as an industrial rail line until 10 years ago, the land is poised for redevelopment as a threemile-
long linear park and trail through the Logan Square, West Town and Humboldt Park
communities. It could open to the public in 2014.

A separate open space financial measure approved today will provide approximately $653,000 in
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to Comer Science and Education Foundation for the development of
a 1.75-acre youth garden in Greater Grand Crossing.

The garden, already constructed on the 7200 block of South Chicago Avenue, provides produce and
first-hand learning opportunities for area residents enrolled in the foundation’s culinary arts
programs. The TIF assistance will reimburse the foundation for the garden’s development cost.

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