Foreclosures Blacken Black Economic Union Buildings

April 30th, 2008 | Tags: Foreclosures

There is no hope – foreclosures win to blacken Black Economic Union buildings. On Monday a federal judge refused to stall foreclosure proceedings against two houses owned by Black Economic Union in Vine district. The buildings in Greater Kansas City house the Urban League and Full Employment Council also.

President Chester Thompson Jr. of Black Economic Union however has not given up hope. He opines the loss of the buildings will be big blows to the community development agency – its financial health and popularity. Thompson is looking around for partnership trying to do something before the bell rings for foreclosure on Thursday.

According to the court receiver, the Black Economic Union owes more than $300,000 on a loan. The union offered to pay $4,600 per month.

The Black Economic Union of Greater Kansas City is also known as BEU. It is a non-profit body dedicated to community development and is located in Lincoln Building – a historic building in Vine district of Kansas City. Currently the president in Bailus Tate. The union was started its journey in 1968 with the active participation of football stars and social activists like Jim Brown and Curtis McClinton. It is the oldest of the 13 other community development houses in Kansas. Its aim is to initiate such activities that will help in the economic uplift of minorities. It is forward in its thinking and comprehensive in the measures that it takes. One example of its success story is the Jazz festival it has been holding for 15 years. The district now hosts six cultural and arts organizations that are thriving.

BEU is advancing programmes for the development of residential and commercial ventures compatible with the economic background of the people. To mention a few are – Basie Court Apartments at Woodland and Renaissance Cove single family units on Bernard Powell Drive and Myrtle Avenue. It also focuses on job and career development.

If such a strong body loses out on its official quarters because of foreclosures it will be a great blow to the community and the country. Some critics are vociferous in their allegation that foreclosures are hitting out primarily at the blacks and other minorities. The gobbling up of the buildings by foreclosures will spell danger not only to the dispossessed but also to the entire community. The situation is grave and calls for immediate action. It is not only about legal twists but about the health of the entire nations which is now being eaten into by the foreclosure virus.