Funding has been partially approved for Abrams Intergenerational Village at 5300 South Calumet Avenue in Washington Park. Just west of the neighborhood’s namesake park, the project has been in development for a few years and has undergone a slight redesign since our previous coverage. The effort is being led by the local social impact organization The Renaissance Collaborative.
Site context map for Abrams Village by Moody Nolan
Abrams Village will be a unique project in the city, combining housing for independent seniors, grandfamilies (children raised by grandparents), and young adults or students who will support the elderly. All units will be considered affordable, with a focus on residents facing housing insecurity. On-site social services will also be provided.
Previous (left, center) – current (right) renderings of Village by Moody Nolan
To accomplish this, local firm Moody Nolan has designed a six-story building containing 71 residential units, consisting of 29 studios, 16 one-bedrooms, 17 two-bedrooms, and nine three-bedroom layouts. These units will be supported by shared laundry rooms, multipurpose rooms, office space, a library, computer room, fitness center, lounge areas, and a community dining room.
Site plan for Abrams Village by Moody Nolan
Additionally, the grounds will include a playground, gardens, and a 32-vehicle parking lot in the rear. The development will also feature 24-hour security, and 37 of the units will be fully accessible. Clad in a mix of gray and yellow panels, the project is expected to cost approximately $40.1 million to construct. This will be partially funded by $13 million in TIF (Tax Increment Financing) money, which was recently approved by the Community Development Commission.
Rendering of Abrams Village by Moody Nolan
The remaining funding will come from equity, debt, an IHDA loan, and other sources. The city will also sell the developer three city-owned lots needed for the project for $1 each. Zoning has already been approved, and the TIF funding now awaits City Council approval. As of now, no construction timeline or general contractor has been announced.
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Is the library there going to be a branch of the Chicago Public Library System? Has CPL been involved in the planning, funding, etc. Does CPL have staff or funding to operate the library? Is there actually a need for a branch there? How close is the nearest branch?
Hi Bob, the library will not be CPL, it is a small internal library for the project only.
A whole lot more needs to be built in the Washington Park area, 60th block of Calumet 1 house and 1 apartment building on one side of the street. The other side of 60th and Calumet completely void of any buildings!
560k per unit (lot of studios) actually seems less than terrible when you factor in the first floor spaces. Huh.
Now if they can fill in the next two blocks to Garfield including up to the green line, that would be some nice fill in.
Who is the alder person in this ward-with all this vacant land I’m reading about in this area, the alder person must be working overtime to do nothing. Yet the folks who live there keep voting for them.
ohh well