“By helping to preserve and expand business opportunities, we’re working to create jobs and sustain the economic well-being of communities throughout Chicago,” Daley said.  “At the same time we remain committed to supporting services to better meet the health and educational needs of residents.”

111th/Kedzie SBIF Re-Fund

The first ordinance authorizes an additional $750,000 in funding for a Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) programs in 19th Ward providing additional funding to help owners of commercial and industrial properties make improvements to their properties.

The SBIF program will be re-funded with $750,000 from the 111th/Kedzie TIF district and include parts of the Mount Greenwood community. 

The 111th/Kedzie SBIF includes properties along 111th Street from Sacramento to Pulaski avenues.

The SBIF program encourages commercial and industrial business owners to invest in their property by making TIF funds available for building improvements. 

Applicants can receive reimbursement grants of up to $150,000 for both exterior and interior improvements such as new windows, floors, green and conventional roofs, heating and air conditioning systems and other energy-saving or green improvements.

Harper Court

The next ordinance authorizes TIF assistance, the sale of land and an agreement with Harper Court Partners, LLC and Lake Park Associates, Inc. for the redevelopment of the Harper Court retail complex in Hyde Park.

Plans call for redeveloping the 40-year-old shopping center, located at 5211 S. Harper Ave., by demolishing the existing center and replacing it with a mixed-use development.

The ordinance would authorize the sale of a City-owned vacant parcel at 53rd St. and Lake Park Ave. (northeast corner) for $1 and $20 million in TIF assistance.

The proposed $200 million development in the 4th Ward will be built in three phases that will include a mix of unique dining, entertainment, retail and office uses and 458 parking spaces. 

Phase I is expected to create up 450 temporary construction jobs and up to 350 full- and part-time retail positions.

Gift House, Inc.

Also introduced was an ordinance authorizing the negotiated sale of one City-owned parcel for $1 to the Gift House, Inc. for the construction of a parking lot.

The sale of the property located at 1311 S. Kedzie Ave. will offer adjacent parking for staff and clients of the grass work organization and support the center’s mission to promote healthy living practices in the 24th Ward.

The Gift House is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the education and prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.  They offer free HIV and STD testing as well as health and educational counseling to at-risk residents of the North Lawndale community.

The negotiated sale will allow the organization to create two new full-time positions.

IGA with CHA

Another ordinance would authorize an Intergovernmental Agreement with the CHA to transfer seven City-owned parcels located on scattered sites in the North Lawndale community for use in future development.

The parcels located in the area bounded by 12th Place, 14th Street, Washtenaw and California avenues will be used for the construction of 21 market rate units that will be part of a larger mixed-income development that will bring 300 units of housing to the community.  The buildings will be developed to match the existing facades and surrounding community in the 28th Ward

Noble Network of Charter Schools

Introduced also was an ordinance that authorizes the sale of five contiguous City-owned parcels for the construction of a gymnasium and parking lot at the Rowe-Clark Math and Science Academy Charter School in Humboldt Park.

Noble Network will construct a 12,000 square foot gymnasium with a 26-space parking lot at 725-43 N. Lawndale Ave. behind the school and existing parking lot.  The building will contain a 5,400 square foot green roof and skylights and the school plans to obtain a Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The $4.3 million project will provide Rowe-Clark students with the opportunity to compete in sports activities wit other high schools in the Chicago area.  The expansion will help to create two full-time positions.

Noble Network operates nine campuses.  It is the largest charter high school network in Chicago and among the highest rated school networks in performance in the nation.

PCC Community Wellness Center

Another ordinance authorizes the sale of two vacant parcels at 334-338 N. Lotus Ave. to PCC community Wellness Center to provide for patient and staff parking at the new Austin Family Health Center.

The medical facility, located at 5425 W. Lake St., celebrated its opening earlier this year in response to the community’s growing need for primary healthcare.  The new health center with the addition of convenient parking will help ensure that PCC remains a full-service healthcare destination for patients in the Austin community.

The City will sell the parcels for $1 for the construction of the landscaped parking lot with a total project cost of $228,000.  The project will create 20 temporary construction jobs in the 28th Ward.