Three habitat and public open space projects would move forward on the Near North and West sides through more than $2.5 million in Open Space Impact Fees (OSIF) introduced to City Council today by Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot.

Under the proposals:

• $1.76 million in OSIF funding would expand an existing riverfront learning platform at 1440 N. Kingsbury St. on the Near North Side by 400 linear feet. The improvement, located within the “Wild Mile” on the east side of Goose Island, would also include approximately 12,000 square feet of new floating gardens.
• Approximately $681,200 in OSIF funding would help fund environmental clean-up costs for vacant land at 1807 N. Kimball Ave. in Logan Square, which is identified as a future access point to the 606 Trail.
• Approximately $111,060 in OSIF funding would help prepare land at 3032 W. Fifth Ave. in East Garfield Park for a community-managed orchard being planned by the City of Chicago, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and the NeighborSpace land trust.

The Open Space Impact Fee program leverages fees paid by residential construction projects to help offset the impact of new residents on a community area’s public open spaces. Funds raised by the program are used for open space projects within the community area’s boundaries.