Century-Old Englewood Firehouse Will Be Redeveloped Into Culinary Center, Business Hub For The Community.
City officials chose the project to kick off the second phase of the ambitious Englewood Square development, which is anchored by a Whole Foods Market.
By Jamie Nesbitt Golden
Posted on BlockClubChicago.com
ENGLEWOOD — City officials chose a culinary center, business hub and community space as the winning proposal to overhaul the old Englewood firehouse Monday, part of the INVEST South/West program designed to spark major development projects in city neighborhoods.
The Chicago Connect team — comprising McLaurin Development Partners and Farpoint Development — will be creating an eco-food hub, an all-season “community living room” with a pedestrian-only walkway, and a business incubator for those who want to live and work in the area. The project is slated to cost $10.3 million and create 45 full-time jobs.
Lightfoot praised the winning development teams their inclusive, community-minded proposals, pledging to see the projects “all the way through.”
“Today is a milestone in our city’s journey in empowering residents to becoming change makers in their communities, to fully unlock the potential in those communities,” Lightfoot said. “To the skeptics, take heed: in Chicago we have a new way of doing business, and it’s called equitable, inclusive growth.”
Lightfoot said INVEST South/West has generated more than $300 million in private investment from an initial $70 million contribution from the city.
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Photo City of Chicago – A rendering of the winning proposal that will transform an old firehouse in Englewood into a culinary center, business hub and community “living room” where residents can gather year-round.