Jun 28, 2007 7:59 pm US/Central
Minorities Vie For Share Of City's Olympic Action
by Derrick Blakley
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
The city of Chicago is putting it all on the line, trying to win the Olympic bid for the 2016 Summer Games. Winning the games would mean billions of dollars in construction and other money.
As CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports, minorities want to be sure they get a fair share of the action.
In 1996, black businesses scored a significant share of Olympic gold when the games came to Atlanta, receiving 30 to 40 percent of contracts.
"The city of Chicago should certainly aim to match that or aim higher," said Chicago Urban League Vice President David Thigpen.
In a new report, the Urban League outlines 15 steps the Chicago 2016 Olympic committee, the city and black businesses can take to ensure that happens.
"It's an important opportunity," said Urban League CEO Cheryle Jackson. "We don't want it to be a missed opportunity."
But some believe that so far, there's hasn't been enough African-American participation in the 2016 committee.
"I believe there needs to be more," said Professor Steve Rogers of the Kellogg School of Management. "The sooner the better because if Atlanta's our goal, we need to start yesterday."
"We're not satisfied with the diversity on the committee," said Chicago 2016 CEP Pat Ryan. "It's pretty good our goal is to keep growing it."
Another problem is potential displacement of longtime residents near the proposed stadium in Washington Park, where 90 percent of residents are renters.
"Have to leave their homes, pay more rent where they're staying, that would be a big concern for the people who live around here," said area resident Keith Cook.
The Urban League is urging special steps to ensure rising property values don't force out vulnerable residents.
Ryan wouldn't set targets for minority business participation, but says the committee's working on a program to make it easier for minority businesses to get involved.
He also said new staff appointments announced today will increase diversity at the committee.
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