Secretary of State Jesse White is appealing to the Chicago City Council once more for help to build a state-of-the-art gymnastics facility for the Jesse White Tumblers.
His alderman, Walter Burnett (27th), proposed an ordinance doling out $5 million from the Near North TIF district for the $15 million plan. White wants to build the 30,000 square-foot center on vacant land where a Cabrini Green high-rise once stood, the Sun-Times reports.
Aldermen agreed three months ago to give $5 million using TIF money, but White is looking for the contribution of the same amount the Chicago Park District promised to give.
The Chicago Park District would match the $5 million contribution the Jesse White Foundation raised. The district would own and run the training facility.
White attempted to explain the plan's details.
"The city owed the Park District $5 million for something else. ... They forgot about the $5 million they owed the park district for this project. So, the city is paying back the Park District. That's what the alderman is proposing. All we're asking for is one, $5 million allocation from the TIF. The Park District will give another $5 million," White said.
If all goes as planned, White would like to break ground on the facility named in his honor in March and open it next year.
