Plans have been revealed for a new workforce training and community hub at 4417 South State Street in Bronzeville. Located on the corner of East 44th Street, the proposal would replace the long-vacant McCorkle Elementary School. The campus will be known as the Technology Renewable Energy Command Center Global Campus for Youth & Families.
Site context map of 4417 South State Street via Google Maps
The development is being led by the organization’s board, whose president also helped start the Chicago Hip Hop Heritage Museum, which has been seeking a permanent home. The team is working with NORR Architects on the design of the multi-building project, which will be constructed in two phases, with the museum included in the first.
Rendering of 4417 South State Street by NORR
Phase one will be anchored by a new five-story hotel under the Home2 Suites by Hilton brand, featuring on-site food and beverage, 111 rooms, and a rooftop deck with skyline views. It will be joined by the museum, along with a community center, sports and tech hub, and a workforce training facility focused on mechanical and solar industry careers.
The second phase will add a 393-vehicle automated parking garage, using conveyor systems to move cars in and out of parking spaces and deliver them to their owners. The system will also serve as a workforce training tool. Additional components include a solar and wind farm, microgrid system, and other energy infrastructure.
Rendering of 4417 South State Street by NORR
The overall project is expected to cost $126 million, with $89 million secured so far. Plans have been submitted to the city and are pending review by the Chicago Plan Commission. If approved, construction could begin by the end of the year, with completion expected 18 months later, opening in late 2027 or early 2028.
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What is the need for an overly complicated and expensive conveyor car park?
That portion will never be built, because they will find the interim surface lot they invariably will build will be utilized much less than they expect (every parking lot other than Trader Joe’s experiences this).
According to the article, “ the [parking] system will also serve as a workforce training tool.”
I’m assuming that means there will be plenty of practice fixing the system when it breaks down.
Conveyor system? Holy ChatGPT plans lmao
Modern problems calls for asinine solutions.
Imagine if they budgeted for better architecture instead of a letdown Kiddie Land ride. (The Clipper moved to Six Flags is far from thrilling.)
The Hip Hop museum in NYC? That thing actually evokes excitement. The colors, the plan, and the added tons of housing? That’s a project that supports and props up the community. This? Just another Millennial food hall.