In a wave of development and growth on Chicago’s West Side, the city’s Department of Planning and Development recently sounded off updates for a slew of projects in Lawndale and Garfield Park.
Here are a few of the initiatives that are coming up or underway.
Community Development Grant recipients
At least once a year, Chicago rounds up proceeds it collects from Neighborhood Opportunity Fund programs, Tax Increment Financing, and Housing and Economic Development bonds and donates the money to eligible businesses and construction projects across the city. To be considered for a Community Development Grant, organizations must provide quality-of-life improvements to locals, plus create and maintain jobs.
Last month, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced anticipated grant amounts for 10 organizations, two of which are on the West Side. Both the Carole Robertson Center for Learning at 2929 W. 19th St. in South Lawndale and the K Entrepreneurship Hub at 4400 W. Madison St. in West Garfield Park are expected to receive $1,150,000.
This year was also the first that Community Development Grants covered pre-development projects. Four pre-development finalists anticipate $150,000, including CTRL Kitchen at 4551 W. Fulton St. in West Garfield Park and Garden to Table Farm at 1431-41 S. Harding Ave. in North Lawndale.
Block Club Chicago reported that co-packing business CTRL Kitchen will use the money to buy a building for a commercial kitchen, rather than renting a space.
Chicago is calling for businesses and nonprofits who want a Community Development Grant up to $5 million, or a grant up to $250,000 from the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, to visit the City of Chicago’s website and submit an application by Feb. 14.
Missing Middle housing
In North Lawndale, developers will soon begin building about 100 units of housing across 44 vacant lots.
These upcoming projects are a part of Chicago’s pilot program to build Missing Middle housing, or middle-density buildings that have disappeared from the West Side with decades of disinvestment.
Six developers will contribute to building the housing, and five minority-led developers have already been chosen from 30 applicants. The City of Chicago sold these developers lots for $1 apiece and is subsidizing $150,000 per unit.
- Schaumburg-based Alteza Group LLC, which is building two two-flats, five three-flats and one four-flat on eight lots. The lots are on Avers Avenue, Hamlin Avenue, Independence Boulevard, Springfield Avenue and 19th Street
- The Trumbull Collective, which is constructing eight two-flats on eight lots on Drake and Trumbull avenues
- Austin-based Citizens Building a Better Community, which will build 16 units on eight lots across Trumbull Avenue, Homan Avenue and Douglas Boulevard
- Beauty for Ashes Developers LLC will develop four two-flats and one three-flat on five Christiana Avenue lots
- Sunshine Management will construct five three-flats, two four-flats and one 10-flat on seven lots on Douglas Boulevard and Spaulding Avenue
Developers will preview construction plans Feb. 13 at an open house from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at UCAN Chicago, 3605 W. Fillmore St.
Fifth City Commons open
At the end of last month, Fifth City Commons opened at 3155 W. Fifth Ave. in East Garfield Park. The mixed-use building includes 43 affordable apartments and 4,300 square feet of commercial space. Its occupants are largely families who earn 30-to-80% of the area’s median income.
Fifth City Commons is all-electric with solar panels on the roof, rain gardens, and high-efficiency HVAC. Other amenities include a fitness center, resident parking and composting services.
The project was funded by Chicago’s Tax Increment Financing, the HOME Investment Partnership Program, sales tax bonds and tax-exempt bonds. Additional support has come from BMO Harris, ComEd and Illinois Solar for All.
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