The Community Development Commission (CDC) today approved plans to solicit requests from developers to redevelop the former 95-room Diplomat Hotel in the Lakeview community into a new supportive housing development for low-income and homeless individuals.

“This is an important step at preserving a vital piece of affordable housing stock in this area,” Department of Housing and Economic Development Acting Commissioner Andrew Mooney said.  “Working together in strong partnership with an approved developer, we will redevelopment this property into safe and modern housing in a manner that is compatible with the surrounding community.”

The City will advertise and begin accepting requests for proposals for the redevelopment of the hotel at 3208 N. Sheffield Ave. on February 14, 2011. 

The City will seek to renovate and upgrade the existing building to keep affordable housing with integrated support services in the community, which will help to significantly improve the quality of life for people who are extremely low income or people who are transitioning from homelessness.

Development objectives for the four-story building call for larger rooms, private bathrooms, kitchenettes and community and office space, as well as on-site service providers who can offer counseling and job assistance.

A pre-bid conference is scheduled for early March.  Attendance is encouraged to learn more about the City’s development efforts and to participate in a question and answer session about this project. 

For more information and to download and RFP, visit the Department of Housing and Economic Development’s website at www.cityofchicago.org/hed.