Vittum Park shares an interesting dynamic with its surroundings. Within its boundaries, the area is a kempt collection of cheery single-family homes with neatly manicured lawns and fluttering American flags. Yet its perimeter and outlying areas have a seedier element.
Cicero and Archer avenues, which form the neighborhood’s eastern and southern boundaries, are dominated by overgrown vacant lots, tattered fast food chains and glittery used-car dealerships of the “no credit, no problem” persuasion. The LeClaire Courts housing projects are also located several blocks to the north.
Because of some of the surrounding decrepitude, entering the neighborhood feels almost like crossing some invisible threshold.
The LeClaire Courts housing projects are also located several blocks to the north.
that’s a good selling point!
Then again, aren’t LeClaire Courts considered a CHA “success story?” As I recall, these are tenant-managed units with strict admission requirements, rules of conduct, etc. so as to alleviate the typical problems associated with public housing.