Pastor Takes Title To Shuttered Motel Where He Camped On Roof
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two weeks after ending a 94-day stay atop an abandoned motel on King Drive, Woodlawn minister Rev. Corey Brooks has taken title to it.
As WBBM Newsradio's Bob Roberts reports, Brooks said the thought of neighborhood youngsters being cut down by street gang bullets helped give him the fortitude to say atop the motel.
He bought the crumbling Super Motel at 6625 S. King Dr. to tear it down, so he can build a community center on the site.
Brooks came down from the roof late last month actor-director Tyler Perry pledged to make the final donation.
Now, Brooks is getting estimates from demolition contractors, but said he would love to wield a sledgehammer himself.
"That would be my idea. I would go over there on a Sunday with all of our church and go at it. And who knows? We might do that -- if we can do it without getting in trouble," Brooks said with a smile.
Brooks expected to raise the $450,000 to buy the motel in three weeks. Now, he said, he has learned not to set timetables, but he said the second phase of fundraising has begun. This time, he needs to raise $15 million to build the community center.
"I don't have a day on it. I don't have a timeline on it," he said. "But I will say this -- it will happen and I do promise to make sure the community center is built on the South Side of Chicago that everyone in Chicago can be proud of."
Donations to Brooks' campaign, Project HOOD (Helping Others Obtain Destiny), can be made by clicking here to visit his website.
