City of Chicago to issue $42.5 million in grants for neighborhood projects

Several local businesses, as well as empty lots and vacant buildings across more than 50 Chicago neighborhoods, are getting a major investment.

The city is handing out $42.5 million in grant money to dozens of neighborhood projects. Altogether, the value of the projects is more than $148 million.

"With the grants issued today, we look forward to supporting the growth of small businesses, creating jobs, and adding to the vibrancy of our beloved communities," Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said.

The 12 largest projects approved for Community Development Grants are receiving anywhere from $490,700 and $5 million, with funding coming from the Housing and Economic Development Bond, Tax Increment Financing funds, and the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund.

"These grants create pathways to higher wages and sustainable careers and long-term economic mobility for our residents," said Mayor Johnson.  

The projects include:

• 433 Missionary NFP, 433 W. 119th St., West Pullman: a grant of $1.8 million to turn a fire-damaged building into three retail spaces and affordable apartments.
• 5544 W. North Ave., North Austin: a grant of $2.1 million to renovate a vacant building, turning it into 22 mixed-income apartments and six commercial spaces for artists and arts groups. 
• Black Fire Brigade First Responder Training Academy, 1823 W. 47th St., Back of the Yards: a $3.9 million for a new purpose-built headquarters for this nonprofit, including training space, classrooms, and office space. 
• Community Creation Center at the Chicago Urban League, 4510 S. Michigan Ave., Bronzeville: a grant of $490,714 to renovate a community center, which will include a training kitchen, a production studio, pop-up retail, and a technology training lab.
• Floreciendo: La Villita Erie House Community Center, 2659 S. Kildare Ave., Little Village: a $5 million grant for a new 22,000-square-foot community center with a  gymnasium, classrooms, art studios, a community kitchen, and green spaces.
• Grace's Furniture, 2616-18 N. Milwaukee Ave., Logan Square: a $3 million grant to rehab an old vacant furniture store and turn it into a four-story athletic club with a ground-floor restaurant and café.
• Hoste, 1819-57 W. 16th St., Pilsen: a $4.8 million grant to expand a community venue and add event space, a community soccer concept, a kombucha production facility, and a bagel shop.
• MLK East: Arts, Enterprise & Community Hub, 1600 S. Lawndale Ave., North Lawndale: a $4.7 million grant to turn a vacant building into a business, arts, and cultural center with a restaurant, a chocolatier, and a gallery.
• National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., Pilsen: a grant of $1.4 million to renovate the free museum's performing arts spaces.
• PRAA Cultural Campus, 3000-06 N. Elbridge Ave., Avondale: a grant of $1.3 million to expand the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance Campus and renovate its existing building.
• PrimeCare Hermosa, 4528-38 W. Fullerton Ave., Hermosa: a $5 million grant for a 27,000-square-foot community health center with exam and procedure rooms, a pharmacy, and an infusion center.
• West Town Bikes and Ciclo Urbano, 2459 W. Division St., West Town: a $2.5 million grant for expanded workforce development space for bike-building programs for teenagers.

Whittney Smith of the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation said the MLK East facility is the centerpiece for its economic development strategy.

"It's a beautiful space for people to find joy and kinship and camaraderie in," said Smith. "It's a beautiful space for North Lawndale residents to get into the business of culture as commerce."

In Logan Square, Ald. Anthony Quezada (35th) said he is "extremely excited" that the Grace's Furniture building will be redeveloped at last, giving the neighborhood a health club and complementing all the other investments being made in the community. The building has been vacant since 2006, the alderman said.

"Community members have long commented that the building is an eyesore, because it has been vacant and has not been active for so long," said Quezada, "so this is a very welcome investment in the neighborhood."

The awardees were selected based on project viability and the needs of each neighborhood.