South Chicago organization finalist for $10 million prize

Claretian Associates and its partners, which include Interfaith Development Corporation, Special Service Area #5, Our Lady Guadalupe Parish and School, Pilgrim Baptist Church, Neighbor Space, Calumet Connect and 10th Ward Alderman Susan Sadlowski Garza, were named one of six finalists for the Chicago Prize. Photo Courtesy of Claretian Associates
Claretian Associates and its partners, which include Interfaith Development Corporation, Special Service Area #5, Our Lady Guadalupe Parish and School, Pilgrim Baptist Church, Neighbor Space, Calumet Connect and 10th Ward Alderman Susan Sadlowski Garza, were named one of six finalists for the Chicago Prize. Photo Courtesy of Claretian Associates

South Chicago organization finalist for $10 million prize

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Claretian Associates was awarded $100,000 as part of the Chicago Prize to work on nine projects in the South Chicago community.

Chicago Prize, sponsored by the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, chose six finalists because of their proposals to improve the well-being of residents on the South and West sides. In Spring 2020, one community initiative will be awarded $10 million.

Claretian Associates named their proposal Working Together to Reinvigorate South Chicago. It is the organization’s hope that winning the prize will assist them in bringing economic development to the community.

The nine projects include a mixed-use development, with a grocery store, near 92nd and Burley Ave.; Salud Health and Wellness Center, with housing, near 91st and Houston Ave.; a natural play space near 92nd and Lake Shore Drive; Villa Senior Housing near 91st and Brandon Ave.; Our Lady of Guadalupe Indoor Soccer Field near 91st and Burley Ave.; a cafe near 92nd and Brandon Ave.; improvements to 92nd and Commercial Avenue Streetscapes; and Pilgrim Performing Arts Community Center near 91st and Burley Ave.

“All nine of our projects in this initiative are projects that are formed from an ongoing planning process with the community and have been in various stages of development for a long time prior to the announcement of the Chicago Prize,” said Jasmine Gunn, project manager at Claretian Associates.

Gunn added since the proposals had to include projects that could be completed in a three to five year timeline, the team, which includes 10th Ward Alderman Susan Sadlowski Garza and Special Service Area #5, chose projects that already had momentum, but needed resources to be completed.

The team is working with the community to get their input, hosting meetings with residents and community stakeholders. They also will seek technical assistance from professionals.

“If chosen, the $10 million will be leveraged to complete projects with a total budget of more than $50 million,” Gunn said.

While they are working to finalize a clear timeline for each project, one of the team’s first projects to go into the construction phase will be the redevelopment of the closed YMCA building near 91st and Houston Ave. The project would preserve 101 units of the on-site senior housing and a 40,000 sq. ft. community center. The project would include a wellness center, business incubator and office space. Gunn said the team’s proposal is one of the most ambitious because it includes nine projects.

“Our projects have a comprehensive approach that incorporate affordable housing for a diversity of family types and sizes, cultural institutions, economic development, recreation and health,” Gunn said. “By coordinating all of these projects together in a target area, the positive impact they have on the community is amplified and more visible.”

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