South Chicago's Chicago Prize Executive Summary
South Chicago is creating a community focused project that will reinvigorate our neighborhood. The reminder of the economic devastation we faced 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, lend themselves to the driving force we are igniting in South Chicago. 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.
Our plan for measuring progress and impact includes, but is not limited to, tracking census data, the number of new business starting annually, population trends, availability of affordable housing, and local revenue from taxes.
Our Team
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
Our Projects
Our vision to revitalize South Chicago provides a comprehensive approach. Every development is located in the boundaries of East 91st and 92nd Streets, from the Lakefront to Commercial Avenue.
- SACRED (3211-3229 East 92nd Street): Transit-oriented development with 78 units of affordable housing (ranging from studios to 4- bedrooms) and 6,000 square feet of commercial space for a quality grocery store.
- SALUD Center: 101 units of senior housing units and a 40,000 square foot wellness and recreation center, business incubator, and office space.
- Natural Play Space (Cul-de-sac at corner of 92nd and Buffalo): Community requested a safe space for residents to play and gather. Transformation of 10 lots into an intergenerational natural play space equipped with picnic space, natural play elements, an outdoor stage, and bike storage.
- Villa Guadalupe (3201 East 91st Street): 53 independent senior housing units in need of capital improvements, keeping residents in affordable housing.
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish/School (OLG) (3039 East 91st Street): Creation of an indoor soccer arena for students and the community. Provides accessibility improvements for the entire building and creates a physical connection between the school and church.
- Café Rude-ish (3134 East 92nd Street): Workforce development café in a renovated building, close to Metra train stop.
- 92nd Street: Streetscape improvements along corridor to attract new businesses and economic activity. Scope includes new sidewalks, ADA-ramps, tree planting, lighting, furniture, community identifiers, decorative crosswalks, and safety improvements.
- Pilgrim Baptist Church Performing Arts Community Center (3235 E 91St): Buildout of a community space that provides singing, dancing, and music lessons.
- New Homes (a 3 flat located at 9108 South Brandon Avenue, a 2-flat located at 9128 South Burley Avenue, and a 2 flat at 9230 South Brandon Avenue): Renovation of six multi-family units and establishment of a homeownership readiness program.
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, lend themselves to the driving force we are igniting in South Chicago. 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.
Our plan for measuring progress and impact includes, but is not limited to, tracking census data, the number of new business starting annually, population trends, availability of affordable housing, and local revenue from taxes.
Our Team
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
Our Projects
Our vision to revitalize South Chicago provides a comprehensive approach. Every development is located in the boundaries of East 91st and 92nd Streets, from the Lakefront to Commercial Avenue.
- SACRED (3211-3229 East 92nd Street): Transit-oriented development with 78 units of affordable housing (ranging from studios to 4- bedrooms) and 6,000 square feet of commercial space for a quality grocery store.
- SALUD Center: 101 units of senior housing units and a 40,000 square foot wellness and recreation center, business incubator, and office space.
- Natural Play Space (Cul-de-sac at corner of 92nd and Buffalo): Community requested a safe space for residents to play and gather. Transformation of 10 lots into an intergenerational natural play space equipped with picnic space, natural play elements, an outdoor stage, and bike storage.
- Villa Guadalupe (3201 East 91st Street): 53 independent senior housing units in need of capital improvements, keeping residents in affordable housing.
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish/School (OLG) (3039 East 91st Street): Creation of an indoor soccer arena for students and the community. Provides accessibility improvements for the entire building and creates a physical connection between the school and church.
- Café Rude-ish (3134 East 92nd Street): Workforce development café in a renovated building, close to Metra train stop.
- 92nd Street: Streetscape improvements along corridor to attract new businesses and economic activity. Scope includes new sidewalks, ADA-ramps, tree planting, lighting, furniture, community identifiers, decorative crosswalks, and safety improvements.
- Pilgrim Baptist Church Performing Arts Community Center (3235 E 91St): Buildout of a community space that provides singing, dancing, and music lessons.
- New Homes (a 3 flat located at 9108 South Brandon Avenue, a 2-flat located at 9128 South Burley Avenue, and a 2 flat at 9230 South Brandon Avenue): Renovation of six multi-family units and establishment of a homeownership readiness program.
