April 10 - 16, 2024

Event highlights of the week!

eatWise

Vendor A. Allen visits Hing Wang restaurant in Uptown.

Cover Story:

The 77 - A city of neighborhoods

Stephen Crano and Choose Chicago staff guestedited this cover story in StreetWise to showcase "The 77: A City of Neighborhoods," a new travel series spotlighting Chicago's diversity. Intimate portraits of the initial five neighborhoods – Pullman/ Roseland, Uptown, Humboldt Park, Little Village and Bronzeville – transcend traditional tourism, describing their struggles against systemic injustices and their triumphs. As the city's official destination marketing organization and convention/visitors bureau, Choose Chicago is committed to bringing business and leisure travelers here for the economic benefit of the city. Read on as their team experiences authentic, vibrant cultures and locally-owned restaurants in each of these neighborhoods.

From the Streets

Vendor A. Allen visits Hing Wang restaurant in Uptown.

The Playground

THIS PAGE: Rob Fojtik, VP of Neighborhood Strategy at Choose Chicago enjoys a meal at Nhà Hàng Vietnam in Uptown with local business owner and community leader Jennifer Pham. (Page 3 and cover photos courtesy of Choose Chicago). DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of StreetWise.

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& ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Support the Arts!

'Broadway Sings Pop II'

Since its earliest days, songs that have appeared on Broadway have crossed over to the music charts and popular songs heard on the radio have found their way to Broadway stages. On April 15, "Chicago Sings Broadway Pop" returns to the House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., with an eclectic night of songs from such shows as “Chess,”

“All Shook Up,” “On Your Feet,” “Six,” “Jagged Little Pill,” and others. The event is a fundraiser for Porchlight Music Theatre. Attendees can participate in two ways. Main floor tickets, $200 per person, include reserved table seating and access to the VIP cocktail hour with complimentary drinks and appetizer buffet before the performance. Balcony tickets, $75 per person, include a standing-room spot on the first balcony and two drink tickets. In addition, a limited number of box seats are available for sponsors. Visit PorchlightMusicTheatre.org

An American Classic!

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Celebrating over 55 years of partnership with the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, the illustrious Alvin Ailey returns to its Chicago home April 17 - 21, for a must-see six-performance program with both new works and beloved classics including Ailey’s masterpiece “Revelations.” Now in its 65th Anniversary season, the company will perform three distinct programs certain to appeal to both longtime Ailey fans and new ones: Audience Favorites (April 17 & April 20 at 7:30 p.m.), All New (April 19 at 7:30 p.m. & April 20 at 1 p.m.), and Ailey Classics (April 18 at 7:30 p.m. & April 21 at 3 p.m.). Steeped in cultural history and expanding with new boundary-breaking choreographers, tickets start at $40 at auditoriumtheatre.org

You Wanna Get Nuts?

‘Batman 1989’ in Concert

The Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, continues the inaugural season of its Auditorium Philms Concert Series, a new multi-media experience presenting iconic films brought to life with scores performed in concert by the Chicago Philharmonic, with a 35th Anniversary Celebration of the DC Superhero film “Batman 1989” in concert. The movie will play on the big screen while the 50-person Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by James Olmstead, performs the film score live. Audience members are encouraged to dress up as their favorite DC superhero. The one-night-only performance is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Tickets start at $69 at auditoriumtheatre.org

Action Film meets Theater!

‘The S Paradox’ Babes With Blades Theatre Company (BWBTC) says why wait for summer for the spy and sci-fi thrillers? Experience the action and mystery this spring with The S Paradox. BWBTC, known for using thrilling stage combat skills as a storytelling tool on Chicago stages for more than 20 years, is jumping down the rabbit hole to see if the character of ‘S’ can jump back in time to prevent the wrongs she made as her naïve younger self, Sloane. Complete with an interwoven storyline featuring our protagonist at two very different points in her life, a hilarious tech-nerd sidekick, and the wisdom of Sloane’s level-headed, librarian girlfriend, the audience witnesses Sloane as she works with the hope of making positive changes versus what the future is telling her. Playing now through May 18 at The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., Thursday - Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets start at $28 at babeswithblades.org

A City Full of Art!

EXPO CHICAGO

Now in its 11th year as a leading international art fair, EXPO CHICAGO returns to iconic Navy Pier with an exciting roster of exhibitors, programs, installations, speakers, and more. The event, which takes place April 11 – 14, will welcome more than 170 leading galleries representing 29 countries from around the world to Chicago.

EXPO CHICAGO celebrates contemporary and modern art with a diverse schedule of cultural programming and contemporary art installations. This year’s main event will take place in Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, with additional programs and events throughout Chicago during EXPO ART WEEK through April 14. Explore more and buy tickets, atarting at $30, at expochicago.org and expochicago.org/expo-art-week

More Art on Display!

The Other Art Fair Chicago

The Other Art Fair Chicago returns April 11-14 to Artifact Events, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave., and will host 100+ independent and emerging artists, each handpicked by a selection committee of art world experts. Visitors can connect with artists in-person and explore thousands of original artworks across various media, including painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, and more-in a range of prices from $100 to $10,000. The Fair is the place to shop for art directly from the very best independent artists. In addition, the fair will feature Interactive Workshops, DJ Sets, Artist Installations, Art Swap Shop, Food Trucks and more. For hours and ticket times (starting at $25) visit theotherartfair.com/chicago

‘Nana’

Come One, Come All!

Chicago Cultural Center Spring Open House

Simultaneous with Expo Chicago, the Spring Open House celebrates new visual exhibitions in the Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. The building will be activated with live music and a professional development fair, 4-8 p.m. April 11, will show activities by the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).

The Sounds of Nature!

Birds, Frogs, Crickets and Dogs

Music of the Baroque brings the animal kingdom to life in orchestral works under the direction of Principal Guest Conductor Nicholas Kraemer, with Gina DiBello on violin and Mary Stolper on flute. Dogs bark in Vivaldi's "Spring" Concerto from "The Four Seasons." There's chirping in Telemann's "Cricket Symphony" and frog ribbits in his Violin Concerto in A Major. Haydn's Symphony No. 83 in G Minor (The Hen) closes the program with clucking and scratching. 3 p.m. Sunday April 14 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie and 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 15 at Harris Theater for Music & Dance, 205 E. Randolph St. and 5 p.m. Friday, April 19 on demand. Tickets $35+, on-demand $15 at baroque.org or 312.551.1414.

A Favorite Returns!

Olwen Wymark’s splendid dramatization of Zola’s “Nana” is a story of sexual and financial greed in 19th Parisian society, depicting the rise and tragic downfall of a young courtesan. Managing Director Nicole Wiesner and Resident Choreographer Miguel Long team up again to direct this reimagination, first produced at Trap Door in 2002. Playing through May 18 at Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland St., Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. Admission is $30, with 2-for-1 tickets on Thursdays, at trapdoortheatre.com

The Blues Are Brewin'!

Too Hot for Words: The Music of Billie Holiday

The Metropolitan Jazz Octet is collaborating with Chicago’s treasured jazz vocalist Dee Alexander (pictured), to perform music from their Delmark Records album It’s Too Hot for Words, a reimagining of classic songs from the great Billie Holiday. The show will feature some of Holiday’s most famous songs including, “The Blues Are a Brewin’,” “Ain’t Nobody’s Business” and iconic ballads like “I’m a Fool To Want You” and “Things Are Looking Up.” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday April 10 at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St. Tickets start at $25 at citywinery.com or call the box office at (312)733-9463.

Hing Wang

by A. Allen

Not long after moving to the Uptown area in the early 2000s, I met my friend Renee Jackson, who introduced me to what she called the best Chinese food restaurant in Chicago. Being a native of the South Side of Chicago, who has lived a little time on the West Side of Chicago, I’ve had some good Chinese from the South to the West Side. I’ve even eaten it downtown and from the Chinatown area on Cermak.

When Renee said "The Best," I was really anxious to try what she called the best Chinese food in Chicago. She being from the North Side, I wanted to try what she called the best in Chicago.

Hing Wang

Location:

Renee took me to Hing Wang. Married couple Jim and Kimberly run Hing Wang with their son Daniel. Ariving there, the restaurant felt homey and warm. Renee introduced me to Kimberly and Daniel, saying how big Daniel had gotten, and how she remembered when he was just a baby. Jim was outta town, but after going there many times, I finally met him. With Renee being the middle person, I kinda felt like family; Kimberly, Jim, and Daniel are very welcoming people. The environment is pleasant and the staff and family are very friendly. Last, but not least, the food is excellent. I really love their Shrimp Egg Foo Young and the Chicken Fried Rice. That was our first order.

1120 W. Wilson Ave.. Uptown neighborhood

Price Range:

$10 - $20 / per person

Hours:

Monday - Friday

9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Sunday Closed

Unfortunately, Renee passed in mid-February, but I am grateful for the time we spent together, and for introducing me to this great place, where the food is good and the service is friendly. If you haven’t tried them, they’re a great choice because the menu is affordable, and the service is fast. I recommend them.

In honor of Renee Jackson, I ordered our usual Egg Foo Young and Chicken Fried Rice. You can also find tasty classics such as chop suey, chow mein and beef noodle soup, all for under $10 and $15.

A. Allen & Renee (photo courtesy of A. Allen); Hing Wang interior (A. Allen photo); Hing Wang exterior and Chicagken Fried Rice.

Wednesday May 22, 2024

12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM 77 West Washington — Chicago

Featuring:

Luciano Antonio, Guitarist

Heitor Garcia, Percussionist

Held to commemorate the lives of our neighbors who were buried by the Office of the Cook County Medical Examiner

Keynote Speaker

DR. BRAD BRAXTON

President and Professor of Public Theology for CTS Chicago

Official Greetings from Ms. Toni Preckwinkle President of The Cook County Board of Commissioners

“To live and die alone is a human tragedy, but not to be remembered and mourned after earthly life is an ugly blemish on human dignity.”

W. Earl Lewis (1949-1999) Founder, The Interfaith Memorial Service for Indigent Persons

The 77 a city of Neighborhoods

an ode to chicago's cultural mosaic

by Stephen Crano & Choose Chicago Staff

Chicago may be known to those who don’t live here for its towering skyline, deep dish pizza, and as the home of Michael Jordan and Al Capone. But Chicagoans know that the city is so much more than that. Each neighborhood is a microcosm of culture, history, and innovation worth celebrating.

Choose Chicago's "The 77: A City of Neighborhoods" is a new neighborhood travel series spotlighting the beauty and diversity of our city and highlighting the incredible local businesses, community organizations, and residents who work tirelessly to make their communities thrive. Through intimate portraits of five initial neighborhoods—Pullman/Roseland, Uptown, Humboldt Park, Little Village, and Bronzeville—this series transcends the conventional tourist gaze, offering a deeper understanding of Chicago's heart and soul.

The local businesses highlighted in the series often serve as community gathering spaces, and their owners have deep personal stakes in the neighborhood. The series gives these entrepreneurs and innovators the opportunity to describe the richness of their communities in their own words while reflecting on the challenges of preserving traditions against cultural erosion.

The series is part of Choose Chicago’s efforts to position the city’s neighborhoods as premiere destinations for Chicagoland residents and global tourists alike. As the city’s official

destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau, the organization is committed to bringing regional, national, and international business and leisure travelers to Chicago for the economic benefit of the city, its communities, and local businesses. Hosted by Rob Fojtik, Vice President of Neighborhood Strategy at Choose Chicago, the video series is one of the many initiatives Choose Chicago has undertaken to encourage visitation in neighborhoods outside the downtown Central Business District.

“Tourists have been expressing an increased desire for authentic experiences while traveling for years,” said Rich Gamble, Interim President and CEO of Choose Chicago. “The neighborhoods featured in this series offer exactly what our visitors are looking for: unique, authentic, only-in-Chicago experiences.”

“The 77: A City of Neighborhoods” explores these five neighborhoods and their struggles against and triumphs over systemic injustices, the vibrancy of their cultures, and the culinary traditions that define them. Through this lens, “The 77: A City of Neighborhoods" is more than just a travel series; it's a celebration of the soul of Chicago.

The series is now available to stream for free on YouTube and Choose Chicago’s website: www.choosechicago.com/ The77

Uptown: Diversity at Risk

Uptown, a North Side community of contrasts and confluences, has long been an affordable refuge for newcomers and outsiders. With multiple prominent immigrant populations and over 60 languages spoken, it is one of Chicago’s most ethnically and linguistically diverse neighborhoods. However, many long-time residents are concerned about preserving Uptown’s character and diversity in the face of rapid gentrification and rising rents—a dilemma common to many of the neighborhoods featured.

Uptown's journey is one of continual reinvention. In the Uptown episode, the City of Chicago’s Cultural Historian Tim Samuelson reflects on its evolution from an isolated area to a booming center for dining and nightlife following the introduction of elevated trains in the early 20th century.

Tam Nguyen, the Argyle Corridor Ambassador, describes Uptown as "a home to the Vietnamese community in Chicago." The area, particularly the Argyle corridor, was transformed by immigrants and refugees beginning in the 1980s into a vibrant, multicultural hub. This transformation was spearheaded in part by Jimmy Wong, a Chicago restaurateur who envisioned a North Side Chinatown along Argyle

Street, later embraced by the Vietnamese community following the Vietnam War when tens of thousands of refugees immigrated to the United States.

The neighborhood embraced multiple Asian and African immigrant groups, becoming Illinois' most socioeconomically and ethnically diverse ZIP code by the 1980s. One resident referred to Uptown as “the Ellis Island of Chicago,” referring to the island in New York Harbor that for decades processed immigrants arriving by ship from around the world. Yet, the current wave of mostly luxury rental development threatens to displace immigrant families who have long called Uptown home. Community members are working to attract entrepreneurs who will honor and preserve Uptown's rich history and identity.

Two of the local businesses featured in the Uptown episode are Nhà Hàng, a Vietnamese restaurant (the name literally translates to “restaurant”) on Argyle Street, and Demera, an Ethiopian restaurant on the corner of Broadway and Lawrence. Both restaurants embody the welcoming spirit of the neighborhood, with large selections of dishes meant to be shared by groups of people, truly offering something for everyone.

Left: Long Nguyen, owner of Nhà Hàng Vietnam in front of his Uptown restaurant, 1032 W. Argyle St. Left Inset: A sampling of foods from Nhà Hàng. Above: Tigist Reda, chef and owner of Demera Ethiopian Restaurant, 4801 N. Broadway.

Right inset: A sampling of foods from Demera. (All photos courtesy of Choose Chicago).

Bronzeville: A Testament to Black Excellence

Bronzeville is a near-South Side community steeped in African American history and culture, marked by both exclusion and triumph. The neighborhood earned the nickname the “Black Metropolis” for the concentration of prominent African American artists, scientists, businesspeople, and civic and social leaders who lived there throughout the 20th century, including Margaret Burroughs, Lorraine Hansbury, Ida B. Wells, Richard Wright, Robert Abbot, Bessie Coleman and more.

Well-known local historian Shermann "Dilla" Thomas explains in “The 77: A City of Neighborhoods” that the neighborhood emerged as a response to systemic neglect and exclusion of African Americans in Chicago's early development. It has since given the world cultural treasures such as gospel music and profound contributions to literature, science, visual arts, and the American civil rights movement. The neighborhood faced particularly acute challenges during the Great Migration when the mass movement of African Americans from southern states to northern cities led to extreme overcrowding because of Chicago’s red lining and restrictive covenant practices that left other neighborhoods effectively inaccessible to non-whites. By the 1940s, Bronzeville’s population had grown to over 300,000 people. In 1948, the U.S. Supreme

Court ruled that restrictive covenants violated the U.S. Constitution, opening other neighborhoods up to Black Chicagoans and leading to mass migration out of Bronzeville.

As the neighborhood became less dense, it lost much of the vitality and creative energy that had characterized it in earlier years. Today, Bronzeville navigates the fine line between progress and preservation, with its residents reimagining traditional business models to find innovative ways to bring new commercial activity and social spaces to the neighborhood.

Monica Haslip, founder of Little Black Pearl, a Bronzeville art and design center, says she built her business "out of love; it was about creating a feeling... of kindness and generosity." Haslip wanted Little Black Pearl to become a “third space” where neighborhood residents could gather outside of their homes, schools, or jobs. This sentiment is echoed in the ambiance of Carver 47, a café situated within Little Black Pearl, that sells coffee drinks, juices, sandwiches, and even fresh cut flowers and home decor. The restaurant honors the legacy of its namesake, George Washington Carver, through its artful and healthy menu offerings.

Local bar and restaurant Bronzeville Winery is also featured with co-owner Eric Williams saying he and his partners wanted to open an establishment that would make residents "feel good about their neighborhood."

Little Village: The Heartbeat of Mexican Chicago

Little Village, sometimes called "The Mexico of the Midwest," is a vibrant testament to Mexican culture in the near-Southwest Side of Chicago. The neighborhood's primary commercial corridor along 26th Street is Chicago’s second largest sales tax generator after the Magnificent Mile. With dozens of restaurants, markets, and specialty stores offering items that are difficult to find in most of the U.S., the area is a destination for Mexican immigrant families from across Chicago, Illinois, and surrounding states. But residents of Little Village are concerned by the rapid pace of changes in nearby Pilsen, another predominantly Mexican neighborhood, and are determined to preserve their cultural heritage.

Residents are proud of their entrepreneurial spirit. Walking down 26th Street, you can find street stalls, vibrant shop windows, and ever-present smells of taquerias, tortillerias, and bakeries. As one resident and local business owner says, you don't need to book a flight to have an authentic Mexican experience—just go to Little Village!

Chef Ambrocio Gonzalez is the owner of La Catedral, a local restaurant known for its resemblance to a Catholic church both inside and out. Gon-

zalez brings a new perspective to the neighborhood's culinary scene, diversifying beyond traditional Mexican fare and focusing on items like pancakes and waffles. "I'm not good at making tacos," he says, but he is known for his chilaquiles, including 14 varieties on the menu. (He started with two and added one for each of the twelve years he’s been in business.)

Mike Moreno, Jr. owns a popular bar and restaurant in the neighborhood called Osito's Tap. His family has also owned nearby Moreno’s Liquors, a bottle shop specializing in tequila and mezcal, for decades. He believes that Little Village’s vibrancy is underlain by the hard work of immigrants. Moreno says, "Every immigrant community has to work twice as hard in order to become what it is to become." Regarding the neighborhood’s broader challenge of maintaining its cultural identity: "The Key to preserving Little Village is making sure that more young Latinos are inspired to invest and stay here."

Humboldt Park: The Puerto Rican Soul of Chicago

Culture and history collide in Humboldt Park, a Puerto Rican community on the West Side of Chicago. The neighborhood’s story is deeply intertwined with the complex relationship between the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Jose E. Lopez, Executive Director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center says that “Every aspect of Puerto Rican life was impacted after 1898," when the U.S. Army first occupied the island. Tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans moved to Chicago in the mid-20th century, with many settling in and around Humboldt Park. "Plantando bandera," Spanish for "planting flag," was their strategy for establishing a community in Humboldt Park—the steel Puerto Rican flags mounted along Division Street are physical representation of their cultural pride and are the product of decades of work by residents and activists.

Today, as in other neighborhoods featured in “The 77: A City of Neighborhoods,” many longtime Humboldt Park residents are being priced out due to rising costs of housing. At the same time, also like other neighborhoods in the series, residents’ shared pride has made them resilient.

Alderperson Jessie Fuentes of Chicago's 26th Ward grew up in Humboldt Park. She believes that it is critical for local schools to provide opportunities for students to learn about their own history rather than only that of the dominant culture. She says, "I tell people all the time that I am proof of concept that when we invest in young people, when we teach them their history, that when we are culturally and linguistically competent, and that we do things with radical love in mind and in heart, it transforms people's lives."

The cultural pride of Humboldt Park residents extends to the neighborhood’s culinary offerings. Victor Garcia, known as "Papa Pollo," owns and operates Papa's Cache Sabroso with his family, where they serve traditional Puerto Rican dishes that have resonated with locals for decades. Along with rotisserie chicken, the restaurant is known for their jibarito, a Chicago original sandwich with meat and veggies served on fried plantains instead of a traditional bun.

Left: Chef Lizz Wright at at Carver 47 Food & Wellness Market, 1050 E. 47th St., with Monica Haslip (foreground). Center: The interior of La Catedral, 2500 S. Christina Ave. Center inset: Mike Moreno, Jr., owner of Osito's Tap, 2533 S. Ridgeway Ave.

Right: Cocktail sorcery at Esmeralda's Caribbean Craft Cocktails, 2539 W. Division St. Right inset: Papa's Cache Sabroso, 2517 W. Division St. (All photos courtesy of Choose Chicago).

Pullman & Roseland: Anchors of Chicago's History

Often overlooked, the adjacent South Side neighborhoods of Pullman and Roseland hold deep historical significance—not just for Chicago, but for the country. In fact, the area is home to the only National Park in Chicago: the Pullman National Historical Park, which commemorates the rich labor legacy of the area.

Pullman was established in the 1880s by George Mortimer Pullman, the inventor of the Pullman Sleeper Cars. It was developed to be "the world's most perfect town” with shops, housing, and factories making a complete walkable community—all owned by Pullman. In the summer of 1894, the American labor movement captured the attention of the federal government for the first time when Pullman workers staged a massive strike in protest of poor living conditions and low wages, leading to the establishment of the Labor Day holiday. Later, many African American men who came to Chicago during the Great Migration served as porters on Pullman trains, a job that has been recognized as one of the first middle class opportunities for African Americans. Pullman Porters were locked out of existing unions and, after over a decade of organizing, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters became the first chartered African American trade union in the United States in 1925.

After industry largely moved out of Pullman and Roseland in the mid-late 20th century, the communities saw several decades of decreasing investment. Community organizations like Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives (CNI) are working to revitalize the neighborhoods. In Roseland, CNI is helping small businesses thrive along the Michigan Avenue commercial corridor.

One local business mainstay in that corridor is Old Fashioned Donuts, an institution that has been enjoyed by generations of Chicagoans. At 85, owner and long-time baker Burritt Bulloch, the Donut King, still works six days a week and half a day on Sundays. Dilla Thomas calls Old Fashioned Donuts an anchoring space of the neighborhood and an important community gathering space.

Lexington Betty Smokehouse is a newer culinary addition to the area from a beloved member of Chicago’s culinary scene. Executive Chef and Owner Dominique Leach named Lexington Betty after her grandmother, who she says helped her understand the power of food to bring people together. Chef Dominique says she didn't have a lot of examples of what it looked like to be a queer Black woman entrepreneur when she was growing up, and that she is proud of owning the first non-chain restaurant to open in Pullman in over 10 years. Lexington Betty Smokehouse exemplifies the new energy infusing the Pullman and Roseland neighborhoods, blending culinary excellence with a commitment to community.

"The 77: A City of Neighborhoods" is more than a travel series; it's a deep dive into the soul of Chicago, exploring the intricacies of its neighborhoods. Through stories of resilience, cultural pride, and culinary heritage, this series not only invites viewers to experience the city's diversity but also to appreciate communities’ ongoing efforts to maintain their unique identities. As such, "The 77: A City of Neighborhoods" stands as a tribute to the spirit of Chicago—a city of neighborhoods, each with its own story, challenges, and triumphs.

In addition to the videos being available for free on YouTube and Choose Chicago’s website, Choose Chicago is also organizing the free public screening events in each of the neighborhoods featured in the first five episodes of “The 77: A City of Neighborhoods”. Details can be found at choosechicago.com/The77.

Left: Dominique Leach, executive chef and owner of Lexington Betty Smokehouse, 756 E. 111th St. Right: Burritt Bulloch, owner and baker at Old Fashioned Donuts, 11248 S. Michigan Ave. (Photos courtesy of Choose Chicago).

CHA approves plans to rehab lathrop homes on the Chicago river

by Suzanne Hanney

The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) approved funding March 19 for Phase 1C of the Lathrop Homes south of Diversey Avenue: 309 units of mixed-income housing in multifamily buildings. All vacant buildings will be addressed.

Phase 1C will entail rehabilitation of seven historic building by Lathrop Community Partners and demolition of three existing buildings to add an accessible, new construction building with an elevator as well as parking spaces. The “Powerhouse” building exterior will also be renovated.

Of the 309 new or rehabbed units, 96 will be offered at market-rate to the community and 92 will be affordable; 121 will be for public housing residents. These 121 units include 54 with one-bedroom, 60 with two-bedrooms and 7 with three bedrooms.

Lathrop Community Partners includes Related Midwest LLC, Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation, and the CHA. CHA’s board approved a construction loan of up to $37 million towards the $205 million project. Finance closing and construction start are expected in the final quarter of this year, with completion at the end of 2026.

These rehabilitated and new apartments will mean a total of 797 units at Lathrop Homes. Among the 488 apartments delivered to the site in Phases 1A and 1B were 179 CHA units; Phase 1C will bring the total number of CHA units to 300.

Future new construction is expected to result in about 1,116 units of mixed-income housing, retail and community space, and enhanced landscaping.

Lathrop Homes sits on 35.5 acres at Clybourn/Damen/ Diversey along the North Branch of the Chicago River. Opened in 1938, its 925 residential units were spread over 29 two-story brick row houses, as well as three- and fourstory apartment buildings. There was a small administration building, a powerhouse, campus-like courtyards, and a 17-acre Great Lawn designed by Jens Jensen.

Earlier phases of rehab by Lathrop Community Partners opened the site to the community at large and connected Lathrop’s North and South campuses with a half-mile river walk. There is also a new boat launch for kayaks and other small boats and a circular dog park that recalls Jensen’s “council rings” based on Viking and Native American meeting practices.

www.streetwise.org

Top: Lathrop Homes on North Hoyne Avenue in March 2023 (Suzanne Hanney photo). Center: Renderings of proposed rehabbed buildings Bottom: South Lathrop map. (Both courtesy of CHA).

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