$10 Million Chicago Prize Finalist Are Working Together To Reinvigorate South Chicago

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2019
 
CONTACT:
Office 773-734-9181
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Chicago, IL—When the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, asked community development organizations to imagine what could be accomplished with $10 million; Claretian Associates and its partners envisioned the strengthening of the South Chicago neighborhood.

On December 11, 2019, Claretian Associates and South Chicago was named one of the six finalists for the Chicago Prize of the Pritzker Traubert Foundation.  As finalists, they will continue to work toward the $10 million Chicago Prize investment.  The initiative titled, Working Together to Reinvigorate South Chicago, will receive $100,000 and technical assistance to continue developing their plans.  South Chicago was a top finalist out of 80 proposals submitted to the Pritzker Traubert Foundation.

Project Team:  Claretian Associates, Interfaith Housing Development Corporation, Special Service Area #5, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish/School, Pilgrim Baptist Church, NeighborSpace, Calumet Connect, 10th Ward Alderwoman Susan Garza

Executive Summary

Building on the positive momentum created by ample community engagement sessions over the last decade, South Chicago is in the midst of creating a community focused project that will reinvigorate our neighborhood. The reminder of the economic devastation from the exodus of South Works in 1992, a once global provider of steel, is realized in every closed business and abandoned home. For too long, South Chicago has laid dormant as a forgotten community. Now we are taking action to create opportunities as we work to strengthen our diverse neighborhood. We will no longer accept decisions that are made at the expense of our assets. We will align ourselves with strategic priorities that champion our success.

Today, our plans will incorporate our local waterfront and business corridors connecting to Commercial Avenue, leveraging prime thoroughfares that embrace transit-oriented development and green technologies that make use of existing resources.

Projects such as a 78-unit affordable housing development with a quality grocery store, a redeveloped wellness center with a business incubator, two athletic facilities, a performing arts center and natural play space, and other developments, will make use of the nearby South Chicago Metra Line and six other CTA bus connections to re-ignite the area. We are creating a spark for our built environment, housing portfolio, and workforce development opportunities in 3-5 years, while bolstering in long-term sustainable efforts that vastly improve economic development and health outcomes.

Project Focus Area

Project Drawings & Renderings

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