A groundbreaking has been held for the new home of BandWith Chicago at 134 S California Avenue in East Garfield Park. Located near the intersection with W Adams Street, the project will redevelop an existing industrial building for the headquarters of the non-profit organization. Most recently the project scored major funding from the city in prep for construction.
Site context map of 134 S California Avenue via Google Maps
Current view of 134 S California Avenue via Google Maps
Started in 2013, the organization was created by a teacher after her school’s band program was cut due to major budget cuts that year, the same year the city closed 50 schools. Since then it has grown to offer after school programming, small group instruction, assembly play, and performance opportunities for students, serving over 140 kids annually.
Rendering of new BandWith Chicago HQ by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
The 21,459 square-foot structure will be converted into a community performance center designed by Lamar Johnson Collaborative. Inside will be educational, rehearsal, and performance spaces used to house their free dance, drumline, sound engineering, instrumental and choral assemble programs.
Rendering of new BandWith Chicago HQ by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Rendering of new BandWith Chicago HQ by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
The organization hopes to collaborate with nearby groups like the Marillac House Food Pantry, as well as expand its services to include job-training and potential employment for the teens enrolled. There will also be a space for a new location of local coffee shop The Beelove Cafe, This will be accompanied by a new entry plaza and small on-site parking lot.
Rendering of new BandWith Chicago HQ by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Rendering of new BandWith Chicago HQ by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Construction will commence shortly on the space which previously operated as a casket factory. The project is set to cost $12.4 million in total, with $5 million of those coming from the local TIF district, $100,000 from the Cook County Starting Blocks Program, and the rest from tax credits and other sources. Work should be completed by August of next year.
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It’s great seeing more investment coming to the west side.
Very inspirational
Nice! We have needed something like this for decades!