The Chicago Department of Planning and Development and Mayor Brandon Johnson have announced winners of multiple grants for projects across the city. The first pool consists of $25 million in grants for commercial projects, a second pool of $5 million is to be distributed for climate-transit related projects, and $8 million in Adopt-A-Landmark grants.
Community Development Grants – $25 million
This grant is part of the Chicago Recovery Plan which when finished will have distributed $338 million and has been running since 2022. The plan focuses on funding three focus areas established by the DPD; community development, small businesses and workforce support, and community climate investments. This latest round of distribution, the Winter 2024 winners, consists of over 30 finalists. A full list can be found here, some are highlighted below.
Rendering of wellness center via Mildred Wiley Wellness Hub
Mildred Wiley Wellness Hub – 4950 W Thomas Street – $2 million
Located in the Austin neighborhood, the new hub/horticenter will contribute to the Soul City Corridor plan which includes the mixed-use Invest South/West project at the old Laramie State Bank. The 10,000-square-foot roughly $5.4 million project will redevelop an existing building on the Bethel New Life campus. Aimed at expanding health services, the hub will include refrigerated food storage, classrooms, rooftop greenhouse, and a commercial kitchen.
Rendering of the Fields Studios via The Fields Chicago
The Field Studios – 4000 W Diversey Avenue – $5 million
The large movie and production studios within Avondale are located across the street from the redeveloped Marshall Field’s warehouse complex. Designed by Gensler, the complex is the first purpose-built studios in the city with over 500,000 square feet of space. Nearing completion, there will be nine sound stages ranging from 5,000 to 36,000 square feet and 150,000 square feet of support space including a mill for sets.
Climate-Transit Related Projects – $5 million
An additional 30 finalists were selected under this category which is also a part of the Chicago Recovery Plan. However they focus on climate infrastructure and equitable transit-oriented developments. Some are highlighted below:
Rendering of sustainable square mile via BIG
Blacks in Green – 6427 S St.Lawrence Avenue – $55,329
Started in 2007, BIG is a network for environmental justice and economic development created to close the racial health/wealth gap via the green economy. The non-profit is envisioning a sustainable square mile system where residents can walk to work, shop, learn, and play by building economies in energy, horticulture, housing, tourism and waste. The mile would also include some of the Black House Museums like the Emmett Till house.
Rendering of South Lawndale Business Hub & Art Gallery
South Lawndale Business Hub & Art Gallery – 2711 W Lake Street – $217,081
Located in East Garfield Park near the intersection with N California Avenue, the project will rehab a pair of existing vacant masonry buildings. The one- and two-story structures will receive a new facade, entrance, and plaza on an adjacent vacant lot to serve as an arts and business incubator for the community.
Adopt-A-Landmark Grants – $8 million
These city-wide grants are aimed at supporting the restoration of designated landmark buildings, funded by downtown construction projects that pay into the neighborhood opportunity bonus. These projects must include visible exterior work or publicly accessible interior work approved by Commission on Chicago Landmarks. Out of 31 applicants 13 were selected, some are highlighted below and a full list can be found here:
Recent view of Laramie State Bank by Urban Remains
Former Laramie State Bank – 5200 W Chicago Avenue – $2 million
The 1928-built bank is part of the aforementioned Invest South/West project which will include a large housing component with 76 units. However the fund will go towards new windows and doors as well as repairs to the existing terra cotta, with pieces beyond salvaging being replaced with replicas. The bank’s renovation will cost $16.3 million in total and deliver a bank, cafe, blues museum, and coworking space.
Armour Institute Building at 3300 S Federal Street via DPD
IIT Main Building – 3300 S Federal Street – $500,000
The $42 million adaptive reuse project will convert the 1893 built Romanesque Revival-style building into 102 residential units made up of 19 studios and 83 one-bedroom layouts. Of these 20 will be considered affordable. The work will include adding a fitness center, community room, stairs, boiler rooms, window openings, and rooftop deck. The facade itself will also receive repairs with its decorative pieces repaired and replaced as needed.
In total over 70 projects are receiving funding through these city grants, all are in different stages of development and not all involve construction. Further fund are to be distributed later this year.
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Some really great projects in here. Living in the armour institute would be sweeeeeet