On Sept. 23, 2021, the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) hosted a public review of the two responses to the INVEST South/West Request for Proposals (RFP) on Chicago Avenue in Humboldt Park. The following is a select list of questions from the event and answers.

Some of the questions have been combined or edited for the sake of brevity or clarity. A recording of the full community meeting can be seen on DPD’s YouTube page. 

General Questions

The questions in this section were reviewed and answered by DPD staff.

Where is the RFP Site?
3601-25 W. Chicago Ave., which is located on the south side of Chicago Avenue between Central Park Avenue and Monticello Avenue.

What will happen with NHS?

Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Inc. (NHS) owns the parcel at 3601 W. Chicago Ave. and is willing to explore options for inclusion and redevelopment for their parcel pursuant to this RFP. NHS intends to continue operating its West Side Hub from this location.

Both proposals incorporate having the NHS office on-site in their proposals.

What is the timeline for completion be?

After a winning developer is selected at the end of October, the winning team is expected to complete construction of the development in 24 to 30 months.

Ascent West Humboldt Questions

The questions in this section were reviewed and answered by members of the Ascent West Humboldt team and unedited by DPD. The team’s pitch video is also available for review.

Can you further explain how your proposal will retain on site the existing DCASE/NHS West Humboldt Park City Market (Farmers Market) which happens during June-October?

How much will cost be for the residential condo units being proposed? Do you see this project affecting the rent for other residents in the area?

The condominiums will be one-third affordable at 50% AMI, ranging from $190k - $250k, and the rest at market rate, targeted specifically to first-time home buyers in partnership with NHS. We do not foresee a single ownership development raising rents for an entire area, but we do hope that the increased walkability and amenities in the area will positively impact the livability of the surrounding neighborhood.

What are the Residential Unit types and Sizes? Will there be laundry in-unit? Additionally, how many parking spaces are being provided? 

Can you further explain the retail/commercial tenants being proposed in your proposal?

• Bamenda - Coffee Shop + Afro Caribbean Market
• Afrobeats restaurant concept + music venue
• Eatin’ Puerto Rican - Puerto Rican Restaurant + Community Sanctuary
• Chi-Tower West - Co-Working Office Space, mHUB maker studio
• Method - Fitness, Health + Wellness Center
• SkyART - Youth Visual Arts Programs 

How will community youth be involved in the project, and will there be job opportunities for them in construction, development, or other?

We plan to build connections with local schools, with whom we have existing relationships, to involve students in programs and internship opportunities. Job opportunities and skill training will be available for young adults. SkyART provides free visual arts education to youth, who will have the opportunity to take classes as well as have their art displayed throughout the development. 

What are the community wealth-building components of your plan?

We are committed to hiring from within the community; the for-sale condominiums provide opportunity for home ownership for first-time home buyers from the community represented by emerging minority brokers; our development team includes west side community members as owners; our tenants include west side community members as entrepreneurs, as well as provide resources and programs for the community

If you are not awarded the RFP, will you still develop the development you spoke of in the 3800 block of Chicago Ave?

Yes, that is a separate project that plans to move forward regardless of the RFP outcome.

This immediate area has a slight crime challenge, could you explain how your development(s) will help deter crime while keeping residents, businesses, and shoppers safe.

By highlighting community ownership of these condominium units and having the community itself involved in the construction and development of this site, we hope to instill a sense of pride around Ascent West Humboldt. Activating the streets with locally owned businesses, eyes on the street, and thoughtfully designing well-lit public space with through sight lines will additionally help to keep the site safe.

The Ave Questions

The questions in this section were reviewed and answered by members of The Ave team and unedited by DPD. The team’s pitch video is also available for review.

Can you further explain how your proposal will retain on site the existing DCASE/NHS West Humboldt Park City Market (Farmers Market) which happens during June-October?

One of the primary features of the development is a plaza, which we call “The Stoop”, a 6,000 sf outdoor space that will serve as the new home for the West Humboldt Park City Market (Farmer’s Market).  The Stoop is designed to extend into the sidewalk on Chicago Ave on special event days such as the farmers market yet be secured during evening hours and non-event days.  The Stoop is adjacent to a grocery store, which can be physically connected when the farmers market is in operation. 

How much will rent be for the residential rental units being proposed? Do you see this project affecting the rent for other residents in the area?

Units will be priced for a range of affordability, from $875 per month to $1,250, the latter for certain 3-bedroom units. To serve very-low-income households, we can seek rent subsidy for those units at 30% AMI.

As for impact on neighborhood rents, it should be minimal. All of our rents will be set at or below current market rents, so it should not have an immediate impact in the surrounding neighborhoods.

What are the Residential Unit types and Sizes? Will there be laundry in-unit? Additionally, how many parking spaces are being provided? 

There are 32 secured parking spaces, 22 spaces are for the residents, 10 spaces are set aside for NHS staff.  Residential unit types and sizes are as follows: 

• 1BR – 14 units, 600’ sf – 650’ sf 
• 2BR – 23 units, 875’ sf – 925’ sf
• 3BR – 3 units  1,100 sf

Can you further explain the retail/commercial tenants being proposed in your proposal?

NHS was a natural fit because it is already located here, is a landowner and wants a new West Side homeownership hub. The other proposed tenants represent a mix of African-American entrepreneurs whose businesses will bring additional traffic to this location and are the types of businesses community residents want in the neighborhood.

• Brownstone Provisions: Bakery and Sandwich Shop
• Charming Children Center Learning Academy
• Greenville Night Market
• Metro Farms – One for One
• ACCESS Community Health Network

How will community youth be involved in the project, and will there be job opportunities for them in construction, development, or other?

We intentionally included Communities Empowered Through Construction in the development team for this reason. They are expert in helping developers identify and hire community residents during construction. We also will involve the community in the development of public art installations.

What are the community wealth-building components of your plan?

Three Parts. First, on the retail side we are focusing on small, African-American businesses and service providers looking for an opportunity to grow their operations.

Second, on the blocks surrounding the RFP we will build for-sale housing opportunities targeting moderate-income households.

Third, our long-term commitment also includes grants, the WHPDC, future home buyers, Rowe-Clark Academy, and YMCA. These anchor institutions and homeowners will create wealth and stabilize the corridor and grow the community for decades to come. 

If you are not awarded the RFP, will you still develop the development at 3400 W Chicago (Phase 2)?

We very much hope to and will engage with the City on that site should our response not be selected. Ultimately, if the City/DPD supports the redevelopment, our team will do our part to add to the corridor.

This immediate area has a slight crime challenge, could you explain how your development(s) will help deter crime while keeping residents, businesses, and shoppers safe.

Our design and mix of users are intentionally planned to bring more foot traffic to these locations, and therefore more “eyes on the street.” Further, by placing the retail spaces along the sidewalk and not set back, we can minimize loitering