Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined Alderman Debra Silverstein (50th Ward), Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) CEO Eugene E. Jones, Jr., developments partners and members of the West Ridge community today to cut the ribbon on the new Northtown Apartments, one of three innovative affordable housing developments that also include a co-located Chicago Public Library (CPL) branch.

“When we unite the strengths of our neighborhood libraries with great housing that is affordable and accessible, it is truly the best of both worlds,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Chicago is reimaging and redefining what world-class housing and libraries can look like, and staying at the cutting edge of creating shared spaces that bring communities together.”

“This is an important day for West Ridge as we stand together to mark the completion of a development that will serve as a gateway to our community,” said Alderman Debra L. Silverstein, 50th Ward. “I know that the new residents of this building join the library patrons in welcoming this important neighborhood anchor that has transformed this corner into a vibrant place to live and gather.”

“Our goal is to expand affordable housing opportunities across Chicago while also delivering community assets that can benefit all residents,” said CHA CEO Eugene Jones, Jr. “With the opening of Northtown Apartments, we are providing a community anchor that combines new housing options and a library that will serve residents of all ages from West Ridge.”

Developed by Evergreen Real Estate Group and designed by Perkins+Will, Northtown Apartments offers 44 apartments for seniors aged 62 and older with 30 units for renters from the CHA waiting list and 14 affordable units. The apartment building also offers residents a fitness center, laundry room and outdoor space. Residents will also have access to the library community room to use for meetings or other resident activities.

“Northtown Apartments demonstrates the strength of innovative public-private partnerships that provide much-needed affordable housing for seniors,” said David Block, director of development for Evergreen Real Estate Group. “We’re proud to have played a role in bringing to the West Ridge neighborhood a modern library offering wide-ranging social and educational opportunities for residents of all ages, including seniors living in the Northtown Apartments.”

Northtown Apartments and Northtown Branch Library was built with funding from CHA, the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, the Illinois Housing Development Authority and private lenders including TCF Bank, 5/3 Fifth Third Bank, CIBC, CREA, Clocktower Tax Credits and ComEd Energy Efficiency Program.

The project is one of three CHA/CPL developments, which resulted from a design competition that inspired some of the city’s top architects to bring world-class design to the neighborhoods.

The other two co-located CHA/CPL developments are Taylor Street Apartments and Little Italy Branch Library in the Little Italy community and Independence Apartments and Branch Library in the Irving Park community. All three branch libraries opened in early 2019.  Residents have begun moving into Taylor Street Apartments, which offers 73 family apartments. The 44 new apartments units at Independence Apartments will open over the summer. 

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