A new hockey training center for the Chicago Blackhawks and an academic campus for Rush University Medical Center will be developed on the Near West Side through city-owned land sales approved today by City Council.

Both projects will be constructed on an 11.2-acre site currently occupied by the former Malcom X College at 1900 W. Van Buren St.

“This major project is a win-win. It will expand the Rush University Medical Center while creating a new home for the Chicago Blackhawks right here in the city of Chicago,” Mayor Emanuel said. “All while creating new opportunities for jobs and entertainment for the people who live and work in the neighborhood.”

The Blackhawks’ $62.4 million, 120,000-square-foot training center at 1801 W. Jackson Blvd. will include two regulation-sized hockey rinks, locker room and fitness facilities, spectator seating, concessions and parking. Projected to create 21 permanent and 250 construction jobs, the facility will be built on four acres of land valued at $9.58 million. In exchange for the land from the city, the Blackhawks will pay $8.7 million and provide $3 million in training and fitness programs for area youths over a five-year period.

Rush University’s $500 million academic campus at 301-339 S. Damen Ave. will include four mixeduse buildings containing 1.4 million square feet of classrooms, offices, health clinics, retail space and 300 dormitory rooms. Expected to create 50 permanent and 100 construction jobs as part of its initial phase, the multi-year project is planned for 7.2-acres of land valued at $17.29 million. In exchange for the City land, rush will pay $15.7 million and provide $1.8 million in scholarships and health and wellness services for area students and residents over the next 10 years.

As part of the proposed sales, the city will prepare the land for development.

A new $252 million, 500,000-square-foot Malcom X College & School of Health Sciences campus opened north of the current building in January 2016.

# # #