A former Streets and Sanitation facility in Grand Boulevard will be transformed into a hub for South Side food entrepreneurs and culinary professionals through a sale approved today by City Council.

The one-story building at 5021 S. Wabash Ave. will be sold for $2 to local developer Urban Equities, which plans to transform the vacant structure into Soul City Kitchens.

The $8.6M complex will include approximately 8,000 square feet of shared commercial cooking facilities, test kitchen space, individual kitchen cubes, freezers, coolers, and storage spaces that will be leased to food entrepreneurs seeking to grow their businesses. A private dining room and community space will also be available for rent.

Urban Equities successfully responded to a City Request for Proposals (RFP) issued in March 2021 for the site. Constructed in the 1910s, the building’s estimated market value is $90,000.

The project is also receiving a $1.85M Chicago Recovery Plan grant, which will help pay for remodeling work.