Additional funding has been announced for the residential phase of the LeClaire Courts redevelopment at 4458 S Cicero Avenue in Garfield Ridge. Earlier this month we covered the project’s initial financing deal of $5.5 million in TIF, it has now received a large capital loan from the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA).
Site context of LeClaire Courts by SCB
Overall rendering of LeClaire Courts redevelopment by SCB
Led by developers The Habitat Company and Cabrera Capital Partners, the two structure first phase of the project is being designed by SCB and will kick off the much larger redevelopment of the 32-acre CHA site. Once completed the overall project will bring 700-residential units, public green areas, and nearly 440,000 square-feet of commercial space including a clinic.
Medical center rendering of LeClaire Courts redevelopment by SCB
Bound by W 44th Street to the north and W 45th Street to the south, both of the six-story structures will rise along Cicero and reach around 67-feet in height. The L-shaped northern building will contain a large child-care facility on its ground floor, a fitness center, and community room, capped by 110 units.
Rendering of LeClaire Courts courtyard by SCB
Rendering of LeClaire Courts by SCB
A small public green space and plaza will stand between the two structures leading to two playgrounds and the 123-vehicle rear parking lot. South of that will be the second building which has seen a revision returning it to its original 73-unit design. This will be anchored by roughly 2,200 square-feet of retail space on the ground floor.
North building floor plans of LeClaire Courts by SCB
In total, this phase of the development will bring 183 units made up of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts, of which 90-percent will be considered affordable. Residents will have access to various amenities including meeting spaces, lounges, laundry rooms, and a rooftop apiary that will provide residents fresh honey.
Rendering of LeClaire Courts south building by SCB
With a total cost of roughly $97 million, the project hopes to receive final approval for much of its funding stack soon. However the now approved $27 million capital loan brings it one step closer to its anticipated Spring 2025 groundbreaking.
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
Yay! The cycle of hopelessness and poverty renews itself!
110 units at a cost of $97,000,000, publicly subsidized. That’s $881,818 per unit. On average slightly over one bedroom each.
The private sector builds that sort of thing for around $300,000. Massive waste. Maybe even fraud. How the heck does a project wind up over double private sector cost?
There are a total of 183 units, so $530,000 per unit. Still well over private sector development. Fraud and mismanagement likely. Also these housing projects typically start deteriorating in less than 20 years. See several near westside CHA build for reference.
Nice, history showed putting a bunch of poor people together works great, right CHA? I have a strong feeling these people don’t care about anything but getting a paycheck right at this moment, no long term planning whatsoever.