VICTORIAN-STYLE HOTEL HERE IN CHICAGO.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ SPENT TIME ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE IN THE PULLMAN COMMUNITY, WHICH INCLUDES THE PULLMAN NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK.

IT IS WHERE SOME RESIDENTS HOPE THAT A BILL WILL HELP TO REVIVE THE HOTEL.

JOANNA JOINS US FROM OUTSIDE THE HOTEL.

JOANNA?

>> Reporter: PARIS, I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT THE HOTEL IS BREATHTAKING.

IT WAS BUILT MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO.

THE ARCHITECTURE IS QUITE BEAUTIFUL.

IN 1881 IT WAS A LUXURIOUS HOTEL WHERE FANCY PARTIES TO PLACE AND CELEBRITIES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD STATE.

THE HOTEL HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR YEARS BUT COMMUNITY MEMBERS HOPE TO BRING THE HOTEL BACK TO LIFE.

>> I USED TO DO SHOESHINE AT THE BAR.

I GOT $.15 A SHINE.

THE CUSTOMERS USED TO GIVE ME A TIP AND THEY USED TO BUY ME A GLASS OF ROOT BEER POP AND POTATO CHIPS.

>> Reporter: IF THE WALLS COULD TALK, IT IS WHAT THE 87-YEAR-OLD SAYS ABOUT THE HISTORIC HOTEL.

>> I USED TO WALK AROUND ON THE ROOF.

I USED TO COME DOWN THE FIRE ESCAPE.

>> Reporter: THE LIFELONG PULLMAN RESIDENT GREW UP IN A HOTEL.

IN THE 1940s HIS BROTHER WAS THE HEAD HOUSEKEEPER.

>> HER NAME IS ELENA RODRIGUEZ.

>> Reporter: DECADES LATER, HE HOLDS ONTO THE HOPE OF WATCHING ONCE AGAIN.

>> I HOPE THAT THE HOTEL CAN BRING BACK WHAT IT HAD BEFORE.

>> Reporter: JULIAN JACKSON IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE COLEMAN FOUNDATION.

HE SAYS THAT THE BILL OPENS THE DOOR FOR A PRIVATE CONTRACTOR TO BE IN CHARGE OF THE REDEVELOPMENT OPERATION.

>> THIS IDEA OF PARTNERING TOGETHER TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN, TO BRAINSTORM ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO MAKE A COMMUNITY, IS WHAT PULLMAN IS ALL ABOUT.

I AM EXCITED TO SEE THE NEXT STEP OF THE HOTEL FLORENCE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS PARTNERSHIP.

>> Reporter: CURRENTLY THE PROPERTY IS OWNED BY THE STATE, BUT BEFORE THAT, THE PULLMAN FOUNDATION BOUGHT IN THE 70s TO SAVE IT FROM BEING DEMOLISHED.

IT IS NOW PART OF THE PULLMAN NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK.

YOU CAN FIND DOZENS OF TREASURES FROM THE HOTEL.

>> IS THERE ONE THAT IS YOUR FAVORITE?

>> I THINK THAT THE HOTEL SIGN IS PROBABLY MY FAVORITE.

WHEN WE FOUND THAT IT STILL LIVES UP AND THE ELECTRONICS WORKED IN IT, I GAVE A LITTLE JUMP!

>> Reporter: THE HOTEL IS PART OF A LARGER VISION SPEARHEADED BY A BUSINESSMAN, GEORGE PULLMAN.

>> THERE IS THIS EXAMPLE OF AMAZING ELEGANCE.

HE WANTED THE BEST OF EVERYTHING IN HIS RAILCARS.

THAT EXTENDED TO THE HOTEL FLOORING.

>> IF WE TALK ABOUT PULLMAN BEING HISTORIC, WE ALSO HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE HISTORIC VALUE OF -- >> Reporter: ROSELAND IS PUSHING TO BE PART OF THE CHANGE.

>> WHAT WOULD BE A CHANGE IS OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL BE CREATED.

>> Reporter: MUCH OF PULLMAN IS CONSIDERED HISTORIC.

>> I WENT THROUGH EVERY INCH OF THIS TOWN.

I WAS HOPING FOR HIDDEN TREASURE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE NEVER FOUND THE TREASURE, BUT THE REAL TREASURE WAS TO SEE THIS GEM TRANSFORMED INTO A FUNCTIONING HOTEL.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SEEING IT, PEOPLE CAN HEAR ABOUT THE UNION MOVEMENTS AND CHECK OUT THE