The former Northtown Public Library Branch building in West Ridge would be rehabilitated to provide educational services to immigrants under a proposal introduced to City Council today by Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot.

Owned by the City of Chicago, the 11,400-square foot building at 6435 N. California Ave. would be sold for $962,786 to the nonprofit Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America (FORA).

FORA, a privately funded organization that provides educational services to refugees in Chicago, would relocate from nearby offices and expand its literacy programs within the former library.

FORA’s offer to purchase the building was the highest of three bids received by the City this spring. A 2021 appraisal placed the property’s “as is” value at $630,000.

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