“Our goal is to foster the development of neighborhoods where commercial and affordable housing, jobs and open spaces contribute to continued growth and vitality,” Emanuel said.  “Facilitating investment in our communities is essential to the future economic health of our city.”

97th Street SSA, LLC
The negotiated sale of 2.65 acres of vacant, City-owned land was approved for the construction of an 18,000-square-foot Social Security Administration building in the Pullman community. 

To be constructed by 97th Street SSA at 9705 S. Cottage Grove Ave. the $4.8 million facility will accommodate 35 employees as part of a 10-year lease.

The approved sale price for the land is $465,000. Proceeds will be used to offset the cost of environmental remediation at site.

Class 6(b) Renewal for Total Sweeteners, Inc.
A Class 6(b) tax incentive was approved for a 60,000-square-foot industrial building at 2234 W. 43rd St. in Brighton Park. The incentive will enable Total Sweeteners Inc., a distributor of food ingredients, to maintain 55 employees in the building.

The Cook County Class 6(b) classification encourages industrial development by offering a reduced property tax assessment rate for 12 years. Total tax savings is estimated at $2.1 million over the period.

Class 6(b) Tax Incentive for WMS Gaming, Inc.
A Class 6(b) was approved for a 120,000-square-foot industrial expansion project at 2704 W. Roscoe St. in the Avondale community.

Being developed by WMS Gaming Inc., a leading designer and manufacturer of video gaming machines, the new $35 million, four-story building will provide expanded research and development space. Amenities will include game development studios, research and development laboratories, demonstration rooms, an auditorium, office space and employee facilities.

The property tax incentive, valued at $3.8 million over 12 years, will help the company maintain 520 full-time jobs and to hire up to 25 additional full-time employees.

Resurrection University and Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center
Also approved was a proposal to provide $4.8 million in TIF assistance to facilitate the relocation of a nursing school from the Village of Oak Park to the Humboldt Park community.

To be operated by Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center, the school will relocate to five floors of St. Elizabeth Hospital at 1431 N. Claremont Ave. A $13.5 million renovation of the 11-story building will create new classrooms, a student lounge, conference rooms, offices and an operating room simulator.

The project will accommodate a growing demand for nurses and other allied health professionals trained at advanced levels.

The school has an enrollment of 275 students with 50 employees. The new location will double enrollment and add 27 new jobs.

IGA with the CTA

Also approved was an ordinance to sell a nearly one-acre City-owned property in Greater Grand Crossing to the Chicago Transit Authority for the expansion of a Green Line maintenance yard. The property, at 315 E. 63rd St., will be sold for $1.