The Chicago Community Development Commission has approved initial funding for the residential redevelopment at 6121 S Hermitage Avenue in West Englewood. Revitalizing the former Charles Earle Elementary School on the corner with W 61st Street, the multi-phase project will utilize all of the school’s surrounding land. It is being developed by Gorman & Company LLC and Phoenix Recovery Support Systems along with local design firm Beehyyve.
Site plan of 6121 S Hermitage Avenue by Beehyyve
Site plan of 6121 S Hermitage Avenue by Beehyyve
The approval included the sale of the land itself to the development team, who will start phase one with the existing school from 1897. Rising four stories tall and clad in a red-brick facade, the building and its adjacent annex will receive facade repairs, new windows, and doors in preparation for the new use, part of which will be supportive services for residents with the preserved gym space, a new computer room, and a community room.
Site plan of 6121 S Hermitage Avenue by Beehyyve
Main school building floor plans for 6121 S Hermitage Avenue by Beehyyve
The rest of the program will consist of 50 affordable residential units made up of 30 one-bedroom and 20 two-bedroom layouts available for those making 15, 30, 50, and 60 percent of the Area Median Income, which is around $22,000 within the community. In the rear a new 50-vehicle parking lot will be built along with a playground and a green space in the place of a to-be-demolished 1971 addition.
Rendering of 6121 S Hermitage Avenue by Beehyyve
Site view of 6121 S Hermitage Avenue by Beehyyve
A future phase of the development will construct five multi-story buildings with five townhomes, each bordering the site’s streets, surrounding a center parking lot with a potential greenspace as well. The first phase will cost around $31 million to build, with the commission approving $4.2 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for the project. Now City Council must also sign off on the motion prior to construction, with no formal timeline being revealed.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Be the first to comment on "Initial Funding For Affordable Housing Redevelopment In West Englewood"