Financial measures approved today by City Council will enable a park improvement and two school open space projects.

Orozco Fine Arts & Sciences Elementary School
Orozco Elementary School on the Lower West Side will receive $500,000 in TIF assistance for campus open space improvements, including outdoor classrooms, native trees and plants, a vegetable garden, seating and play areas, art installations and a storm water management system. The $1.5 million project at 1940 W. 18th St. is part of the Space to Grow program, a collaboration with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the Department of Water Management (DWM), the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), Openlands conservation agency, and Healthy Schools Campaign, a Chicago-based non-profit dedicated to environmental health and wellness in schools. The program transforms schoolyards into outdoor spaces for students and the community while also helping to improve the environment and reduce neighborhood flooding. The remaining balance will be paid with $500,000 each from MWRD and DWM.

Park No. 526
Park No. 526 in the North Park community will be expanded by 1.8-acres of land through $600,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance. The expansion area, located on Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) land at 6073 N. Lincoln Ave., will be upgraded with new landscaping, fencing, and fitness stations and a five foot trail through the park. The Chicago Park District’s current lease agreement with MWRD for Park No. 526 will be amended to include the additional space, which will enlarge the park to 9.6 acres. The site was previously used as a parking lot.

Louis Nettelhorst Elementary School
Nettelhorst School st 3252 N. Broadway in Lakeview will be improved with new outdoor spaces through approximately $400,000 in Open Space Impact Fees. The fees will pay for the removal of asphalt, the installation of artificial turf and pavers, creating recreational opportunities for students and community residents.

Open Space Impact Fees are collected by the City from new residential developments to help expand the amount of open space in each of Chicago’s 77 community areas.

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