Chicago Housing Authority: Julia C Lathrop Homes Redevelopment – Preservation Phase 1C

Environmental Review Record and Public Notices

This information documents the determinations and compliance findings of the Environmental Assessment (EA) of the proposed Lathrop Homes redevelopment activities in Preservation Phase 1C. The EA was certified by the City of Chicago, as the Responsible Entity for federally funded activities to be undertaken by the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) under 24 CFR Part 58.  An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental compliance determinations for this project can be accessed through these links:

CHA 3 (2023) Lathrop Homes Phase 1C - EA-Signed_2024-10-28.pdf

CHA 3 (2023) Lathrop Homes Phase 1C - Appendix A-G.pdf

CHA 3 (2023) Lathrop Homes Phase 1C - Appendix H.pdf

CHA 3 (2023) Lathrop Homes Phase 1C - Appendix I.pdf

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about November 15, 2024, the City of Chicago will authorize the CHA to submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Public and Indian Housing, for the release of HUD CHA Moving to Work (MTW) funds; under the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2017, Public Law 114-113, as amended, to undertake a project known as Julia C. Lathrop Homes – Preservation Phase 1C, located at 2731-59 N. Leavitt St./2039-49 W. Diversey Pkwy., 2750-68 N. Hoyne Ave./2029-35 W. Diversey Pkwy., 2633-67 N. Hoyne Ave., 2601-31 N. Hoyne Ave., 2600-18 N. Hoyne Ave., 2628-62 N. Hoyne Ave., 2664-2704 N. Hoyne Ave., 2567 N. Hoyne Ave., 2740 N. Hoyne Ave., 2742-48 N. Hoyne Ave., 2706-40 N. Hoyne Ave. and 2620-26 N. Hoyne Ave., Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. The proposed project is the third phase of a larger redevelopment of the CHA Lathrop Homes public housing site into a mixed-income, mixed use development. The proposed Preservation Phase 1C would renovate seven existing historic buildings and construct one 59-unit residential elevator building designed to accommodate residents with mobility impairments. The new construction building would include a community room on the ground floor. As part of this phase, three existing buildings (2742-48 N. Hoyne Ave., 2706-40 N. Hoyne Ave., and 2620-26 N. Hoyne Ave.) would be demolished. Phase 1C would deliver a total of 309 mixed-income residential units. CHA would provide rental assistance to 121 residential units in Phase 1C through the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program. Additionally, the proposed project would rehabilitate the exterior and complete selective interior demolition of the existing Powerhouse building, a former steam power plant structure, to facilitate a future commercial tenant. A new roadway (W. Schubert Ave.) would connect the development to N. Damen Ave. from N. Hoyne Ave. The proposed project would also include two new surface parking lots with 100 total parking spaces and a new play lot.

The Lathrop Preservation Phase 1C redevelopment project’s estimated total cost is $214,239,497. Approximately $201,920,777 in construction costs would be funded from a variety of sources including City of Chicago Tax Increment Financing, State and Federal Historic Tax Credits, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and estimated total of $49,318,720 in HUD CHA funding. HUD CHA funding would include an estimated $12,318,720 in RAD funds over a period of 20 years and an estimated $37,000,000 in CHA loan funds. Additional information pertaining to the proposed undertaking are detailed within the Environmental Assessment (EA) Determinations and Compliance Findings documentation.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Chicago has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment.  Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required.

The ERR is also available to the public for review either electronically or by U.S. mail.  Please submit your request by U.S. mail to City of Chicago Department of Fleet and Facility Management to the attention of the Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Environmental, Health & Safety, 2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 200, Chicago, Illinois 60602 or by email to 2FM_NEPA@cityofchicago.org.

PUBLIC COMMENTS 

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Chicago Department of Fleet and Facility Management to the attention of the Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Environmental, Health & Safety, 2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 200, Chicago, Illinois 60602 or via email at 2FM_NEPA@cityofchicago.org. All comments received by November 14, 2024, will be considered by the City of Chicago prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Chicago certifies to HUD that Ms. Julie Hernandez-Tomlin in her capacity as Commissioner of the Department of Fleet and Facility Management consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the CHA to utilize MTW funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Chicago's certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases:  (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Chicago; (b) the City of Chicago has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.  Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Mr. William Dawson III, MPA Director Illinois State Office of Public Housing, Region V, at William.O.DawsonIII@hud.gov.  Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.