AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/development/)
Attend a public presentation May 23 at Kehrein Center for the Arts to learn more about initial recommendations being made to strengthen Central Avenue so it can be a north-south connector for the Austin community.
Work on the art deco building will begin in November. The cost of the project, which will feature 78 units of housing, has gone up due to inflation. The $45 million development is part of Mayor Lightfoot’s Invest South/West initiative.
Ald. Chris Taliaferro shared progress on construction projects in the 29th Ward, including a proposed innovation center on Madison Street and Central Avenue. He also reminded residents to pay attention to where they park now that street sweeping has begun.
Attend a virtual community meeting to learn more about the city’s plans for Chicago Avenue from Austin Boulevard to Cicero Boulevard. Register for the meeting, which will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24.
Austin United Alliance, the group the city of Chicago recently picked to develop the former bank building at the corner of Laramie and Chicago, briefed members of the Austin African American Business Networking Association about the nearly $40 million project.
The Austin United Alliance, led by Heartland Alliance and Oak Park Regional Housing Center, has been selected as the developer for the Laramie State Bank building. It was one of seven proposals considered by city officials, who made the announcement Monday in Austin.
Two of seven groups vying for the right to develop the iconic building received the highest score in a community survey as the city moves closer to selecting a winner. 548 Development’s ”Soul City Steam Center” and Brinshore and Westside Health Authority’s “Soul City Center” each earned a 3.6 score. The winning proposal could be announced as early as this week.
The Chicago Department of Planning and Development hosted two community roundtables last week to get West Side residents’ input on proposals for developing the Laramie State Bank and surrounding land. Attendees expressed concern over how the projects would grow wealth, benefit the Black community and ensure community engagement.
Virtual community meetings about the building’s future will be held from 6 to 8:15 p.m. Jan. 19th and 20th. There will be presentations about seven proposals to West Side residents to learn more, then participants will be asked to provide feedback.
The state lawmaker plans to announce members of the new West Side Development Task Force on Aug. 1. For more information, contact his district office.