Mayor Emanuel joins residents, Chicago Housing Authority and Lathrop Community Partners to break ground on Lathrop development
Mixed-income, mixed-use project will deliver more than 1,100 housing units, retail options and expanded access to Chicago River, new green space
CHICAGO (Oct. 11, 2017) – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Rahm Emanuel today was joined by residents, the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), Lathrop Community Partners and Ald. Proco “Joe” Moreno (1st) to break ground on the revitalized Lathrop mixed-income, mixed-use development. The new development will create 1,116 housing units, new retail options, expanded access to the Chicago River and renewed green space to this historic riverfront neighborhood.
“Today, we celebrate a new beginning for the Lathrop community as we renew our commitment to bringing more affordable housing, economic development opportunities, green space and newly expanded access to our beautiful Chicago River in this historic neighborhood,” Mayor Emanuel said. “Partnerships like this are what make our city great, and help build strong and vibrant communities where our families and seniors can live, work, and enjoy all of the opportunities that our city has to offer.”
The groundbreaking marks the start of the first phase of the project, which will bring 414 new or rehabbed housing units, including 151 CHA, 101 affordable and 162 market rate rental units. The work includes the historic preservation of 16 existing buildings and the construction of one new building and the installation of a new river walk along the Chicago River for recreational use, and improvements to and renewal of Lathrop’s iconic “Great Lawn” and other public, open spaces.
CHA and its partners have been working hand in hand with the community and the Lathrop Working Group every step of the way to make the vision for a renewed Lathrop a reality.
The first phase of work will begin north of Diversey Parkway and involve the complete renovation and modernization of the 16 historic buildings. Each unit will be remodeled featuring contemporary floor plans and finishes and every will contain identical features and finishes, all reflecting modern designs.
This phase of work also includes the addition of a scenic state-of-the-art landscaped river walk property, creating new and expanded access to the Chicago River with amenities such as a dog park, children’s playground and kayak launch.
“This is a momentous day for all of us who have worked hand-in-hand with Lathrop residents to create a future that will bring greater opportunity to this community,” said CHA CEO Eugene Jones, Jr. “This embodies our longstanding commitment to Lathrop residents and our work to bring more mixed-income housing to the North Side. CHA is grateful for the partnership with residents, the City of Chicago and Lathrop Community Partners for making the vision for Lathrop a reality.”
“We’ve been honored to work with Lathrop residents, affordable housing advocates, Mayor Emanuel and Ald. Moreno to renew the proud legacy of this historic site,” said Curt Bailey, President of Related Midwest. “We are committed to investing in the communities where we work and live. Lathrop revitalization is setting a new standard for mixed-income living and riverfront restoration in Chicago and across the world.”
As part of CHA’s commitment to provide quality, affordable housing options on the North Side, the Authority will continue to work with aldermen, stakeholders and other partners to identify opportunities to acquire, build and rehab more housing. “CHA has committed to bringing 625 units of housing to the North Side and to date we have identified 411 of those units as we continue to work collaboratively to meet that goal,” Jones said.
Moreno said: “This groundbreaking is a momentous occasion. It marks the beginning of a new era of affordable housing opportunities in the Logan Square community.
After nearly a decade and a half of delay, the redevelopment of the Lathrop is finally ready to begin. In the next few years, modern, high-quality affordable housing units will finally be provided to the current residents of Lathrop, who have patiently endured living in less-than-optimal conditions. Additionally, several hundred more affordable units will be made available to the public, addressing the great need for affordable housing on the north side of Chicago.
Working with the Chicago Housing Authority and the Lathrop Community Partners, I am very pleased to soon be able to improve the living conditions of my Lathrop constituents and to soon significantly expand affordable housing opportunities in the 1st ward.”
####
Press contacts:
Mayor’s Press Office
312-744-3334; press (at) cityofchicago (dot) org
Office of Communications – Chicago Housing Authority
Molly Sullivan: (312) 786-3344; msullivan (at) thecha (dot) org
Matthew Aguilar: (312) 935-2646; maguilar (at) thecha (dot) org
