mission Our goal is to offer scalable solutions for environmental and social issues in Illinois. Our mission is to help children in as many ways as possible, and we see value in re-greening, reforesting and restoring large parcels of derelict, abandoned land, while combining the benefits of offering large greenspaces to children, families and schools in neighborhoods lacking fun, clean and green spaces. Our business plan proposal is designed to promote the long-term prosperity and health of Cook County and specifically Pullman/Ward 34 & Wayne IL through the reforesting/re-greening of unused, vacant land owned by the City of Chicago, Cook County or the state of Illinois.
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who we are Grant Ferguson.
A technology and managerial professional with 24 years of international experience in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. After focusing on the Anixter Center non-profit for 8 years he has launched FergusonCares org
Tom McPheron.
A lifelong Chicago resident Tom McPheron is a public relations and communications professional with more than 25 years’ experience in international charities and public health organizations.
Craig Ferguson.
Craig Ferguson brings valuable international experience to FergusonCares org, with over 25 years of large scale managerial and engineering expertise, gained throughout Africa & Asia, working for Clyde Bergemann Africa & the global giant, GEA Group.
what we do access to food: mobile soup kitchen organic greenhouses sanctuary short-term for homeless families access to clean water urban forests + parks land remediation old Dutch boy site land conservation Brewster creek. Page 2 of 6
environmental + community projects at a glance
Old Dutch Boy remediation
Project Description: The site referred to as "the old Dutch Boy site" by local residents and the City of Chicago, gets its name from the Dutch Boy company which owned & operated a paint plant until 1976, when it abandoned the plant. In 1980, the site was donated to Goodwill Industries, and it turn sold to various land developers concluding with the site having stood vacant and abandoned for over 30 years.
Site status: Current owner: City Of Chicago. Closing meetings between the City of Chicago, Ferguson Cares and
Weaver Consulting concludes soon, with Ferguson Cares taking ownership of the parcel and beginning development of the eco-forest in mid-2018.
Site specifications: Size: 5 acres | Address: 12000 S Peoria St, Chicago, IL 60643
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Dutch Boy South-Side eco-tourism
Our proposal includes the additional of several green initiatives designed to market The area as a seasonal eco-forest with 2-4 net-zero off-grid eco-cabins and a net zero organic greenhouse. New South-Side green initiatives in the Pullman area attracting revenue, interest and regular paid tours area conferences and companies.
1. Method green manufacturing factory 2. the City Solar clean energy project 3. Gotham Greens two massive greenhouses
Increased tourism and municipal revenues: Parks & forests attract visitors. Due to its 5 acre size, our eco-forest + organic food farm can draw visitors from near and far, bringing tourism revenue to local restaurants, hotels and stores. Increased transformation of the local area: Success will allow us to replicate the formula, to transform more surrounding land for the public.
Increased native vegetation
Increased community health: Our eco-forest will increase community health and happiness, giving local residents increased access to the playgrounds, fresh vegetables, walking paths and more. Our transformed urban forest will encourage increased exercise, community activity and participation. In addition our eco-forest, with increased vegetation will reduce local air pollution by absorbing pollutants and reduce storm water damage & costs Features: • • • • • • •
5000 sq. ft. organic greenhouse Community gardens Wildflower gardens for bee and butterfly population recovery Walking and bike paths (handicapped accessible) Rain gardens recycling and reusing water +2000 new trees Playground equipment
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400 square feet eco-cabins
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our partners
logistics + resources budget
staff
donations $5000 assets $105 000 ecostore $1000
full-time unpaid 1 part-time unpaid 2 volunteer 5-10 community service - youth 1
contact information
FergusonCares d/b/a fcAmerica ngo 1128 Gardner Rd Westchester, IL, 60154 904-382-4733 wwww.fergusoncares.org www.5acreforest.com
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S. PEORIA ST
W 120TH ST
N
GRAPHIC SCALE 25
0
1 inch = 50 PREPARED FOR:
5 ACRE FOREST - CONCEPT PLAN OLD DUTCH BOY SITE
SOURCE: IMAGE ADAPTED FROM GOOGLE EARTH IMAGERY DATED APRIL 2017. COPYRIGHT © 2018 WEAVER CONSULTANTS GROUP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
12000 S PEORIA ST CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
REUSE OF DOCUMENTS THIS DOCUMENT, AND THE DESIGNS INCORPORATED HEREIN, AS AN INSTRUMENT OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE, IS THE PROPERTY OF WEAVER CONSULTANTS GROUP, AND IS NOT TO BE USED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WITHOUT THE WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION OF WEAVER CONSULTANTS GROUP.
Weaver Consultants Group
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
(312) 922-1030 www.wcgrp.com
50
ft. DRAWN BY: REVIEWED BY: DATE:
JDT PC/JJT
04/25/2018
FILE:
4712-300-01
CAD:
CONCEPT PLAN.dwg
FIGURE
1
April 24, 2018 Ferguson Cares 1128 Gardner Road Westchester, Illinois 60154 ATTN: Grant Ferguson Re: 5 Acre Forest – Concept Plan Narrative Project Location: 12000 S. Peoria St, Chicago, IL
Dear Grant: Attached you will find our Concept Plan for the 5 Acre Forest located at 12000 S. Peoria St. in Chicago, IL. This plan has been modeled after the concept sketch you provided and overall vision for the site that was discussed. This plan incorporates the site specific limitations and attributes that exist and how we think they can be addressed. Here are some of the design criteria we considered for this concept site plan:
Site Drainage ‐ Detention will be needed ‐ Two ponds shown due to distance and flat site conditions ‐ Locations are outside of any “Engineered Barriers” and concrete areas Foundations ‐ Greenhouse – A uniform foundation system needed, no differential settlement for glass greenhouse ‐ Ecocabins – Relocated to accommodate potential for foundations, only one is shown on top of a slab Site Entrance ‐ Existing site entrance to be utilized, this eases permitting Pedestrian Path ‐ Allows access to each feature of the site ‐ Large enough for truck access to greenhouse and storage building Hardscape/Earthen Mound Areas/Tree Screening ‐ Areas of hardscape 1’ topsoil ‐ Areas of screening shrubbery 2’ topsoil ‐ Trees only shown outside concrete or engineered barriers
It should be noted that the Concept Plan doesn’t address all site considerations. As progress continues, further investigation should be considered for the following:
Underground utilities Basement fill issues Precise site drainage Security issues
35 E. Wacker Drive • Suite 1250 • Chicago, Illinois 60601 • 312.922.1030 • wcgrp.com • Offices Nationwide
We hope this narrative helps clarify the approach taken when creating this plan. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions and what can be done to take the next step. Sincerely, John J. Talbot, PE., LEED AP Civil Engineering Manager Attachments: 5 Acre Forest – Concept Plan.pdf
James Treece Civil Staff Engineer
Weaver Consultants Group