A groundbreaking has been held for the mixed-use development dubbed Roosevelt Square in the Near West Side. Located on multiple sites across the area near the intersections of W Roosevelt Road and S Racine Avenue, the project will not only construct new housing but also renovate multiple existing structures within its boundaries. Developer Related Midwest is leading the efforts along with the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) and various architects. YIMBY previously reported on all the details of the development during its approval last year.
Overview of Roosevelt Square 3B. Image by Related Midwest
Making up the majority of the building count for the project will be the renovation of 184 existing affordable apartments spread across 38 buildings. The crucial Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded residences in the area will receive new floors, upgraded kitchens including new appliances, and energy-efficient systems. It is worth noting that most of these properties and the upcoming new construction all stand on the former grounds of the ALBA homes, a once prominent housing project.
The project will also bring forth three new construction buildings and one restored structure.
View of 1002 S Racine Avenue at Roosevelt Square 3B. Rendering by Moody Nolan and LBBA
1002 S Racine Avenue
A new six-story building containing 67 residential units of which 17 will be CHA units with the remainder being market rate. Designed by Moody Nolan and Landon Bone Baker Architects, the ground floor will hold 10,000 square feet of retail space for a grocer and 34 vehicle parking spaces.
View of 1257 W Roosevelt Road at Roosevelt Square 3B. Rendering by DesignBridge
1257 & 1237 W Roosevelt Road
Twin buildings standing across the street from each other, the six-story black and white structures were designed by local firm DesignBridge and will hold 70 residential units each. In each building, 29 apartments will be CHA units, 20 designated as affordable, and the rest as market rate. There will also be a shared 40-vehicle parking garage, a fitness room, dog run, and more.
Rendering of National Public Housing Museum entrance by Amanda Williams and Olalekan Jeyifous
925 S Ada Street
Perhaps the most unique of the group, the last remaining building of the Jane Addams homes will be restored and turned into the National Public Housing Museum which itself broke ground in the fall of 2022. The rest of the structure will yield 15 apartments designed by HED Architects and to be split evenly between CHA, affordable, and market rate units.
Street View of 1002 S Racine Avenue at Roosevelt Square 3B. Rendering by Moody Nolan and LBBA
In total the development will bring 406 residences to the neighborhood with nearby bus access to CTA Routes 7, 9, 12, 60, and 157 as well as the CTA Blue Line at Racine station within a 10-minute walking radius. Funding was approved from various sources for the $180 million project including recently secured loans from CIBC. Work is expected to take 12 to 18 months and is currently estimated to wrap up in 2024.
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Related has some other, much more important sites in the city it should be focused on I would think.
It makes me so happy to see these areas finally filling in after years of neglect. Little Italy and the surrounding area have faced so many setbacks from the 2008 recession, leaving this area of the neighborhood feeling disconnected and unfinished. This sort of residential infill is really going to bolster the area.
This incremental development is important, and we need projects like this x100 across the city. Perhaps Related is looking for some favors from the city elsewhere by doing some good deeds?
We welcome these units in our neighborhood as CHA finally fulfills its broken promises. Realistically, if crime increases as a result, other projects will be stalled across the city. What can we do to ensure a safe living environment for everyone? We can’t just bury our heads in the sand and let it turn into what it was in the 80s.