The Chicago City Council has approved the redevelopment plans for The Forum, located at 318 E 43rd Street in Bronzeville. Located adjacent to the 43rd CTA L station, the Forum building sits on a corner lot at the intersection of E 43rd Street and S Calumet Avenue. The development effort is being led by Bernard Loyd of Urban Juncture.
The Forum Bronzeville at 318 E 43rd Street via Google Maps
Built originally in 1897, The Forum was once an entertainment venue for artists and musicians of Chicago’s Black community. The restoration of the Forum structure seeks to return the 19th-century building to its roots as a performance venue, providing a banquet hall, retail, and restaurant space. The plan will include incubator space for Black creatives.
Previously zoned as RM-5, Residential Multi-Unit District, the new rezoning positions the property as B3-2, Community Shopping District, which allows for commercial and non-residential uses on the site.
The Forum Bronzeville at 318 E 43rd Street via Google Maps
According to a report by Block Club Chicago, the redevelopment plan is expected to cost at least $20 million, with Bernard Loyd seeking multiple avenues to raise the funds to offset the costs. A $250,000 grant will allow for the continuation of work on the structure, while an active fundraising campaign is underway to pay for roof repairs. Rehabilitation of the West Annex portion is expected to be completed by 2022.
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This is a huge win, but I think it would be even better and more worthwhile to add housing above the commercial space. I guess it could happen eventually in the future with increased revitalization of 43rd St and Bronzeville in general.
Thankfully there are 99 units of housing just green-lighted across the street, and there are still plenty of vacant land opportunities (slowly but steadily chipping away) all around.