The former Marshall Square Branch Library building in Little Village will be sold by the City for $1 to an immigrant advocacy organization under a $2.1 million redevelopment plan approved today by City Council.

Latinos Progresando, a nonprofit that provides low-cost legal aid to Chicago’s immigrant population, will rehabilitate the vacant structure at 2724 W. Cermak Ave. to use as offices and community meeting space. The organization expects to retain 26 jobs and add about seven positions after relocating to the facility from a nearby location. The building was appraised for $250,000.

The work will also create basement offices for Esperansa Health Center, a healthcare provider specializing in behavioral and mental health services, and Lincoln Park Zoo, which will use the space for Southwest Side educational programming. 

Additional City support for the project includes a $250,000 grant from the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund that was approved by Council last year.

The two-story, 9,330-square-foot building has been vacant since 2009, when the new Little Village Branch Library opened nearby.

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