Far South Community Development Corporation
Far South Community Development Corporation
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Bringing Communities Back Initiative ("BCBI")

About BCBI

Far South Community Development Corporation (Far South CDC) is embarking on a bold “Bringing Communities Back Initiative” (BCBI) to repurpose nearly 1 million square feet of blighted community areas into thriving community anchors that will spur economic growth and repopulate communities on Chicago’s far south side that have experienced decades of chronic disinvestment. 


This initiative will focus on three goals:   

  1. building impact-driven community assets through strategic real estate development projects that will provide new housing options to increase population density and improve commercial corridors; 
  2. increase community wealth with targeted investments in minority contracting opportunities, homeownership, and grants to residents and businesses derived from profits gained from development and management activities; 
  3. providing education and support through Far South CDC’s existing small business and housing support services  


If awarded the $10 million from Pritzker Traubert Foundation, BCBI’s projects will invest $138.6 million through five projects that will result in 176-units of rental housing; 119-units of single-family homes; 45,000 square feet of new retail storefronts along south Halsted Street, including 10,000 square-feet of grocery; $107 million in construction contracts; and increase population density by 1,400+ new residents.  


Through strategic and government partnerships, Far South CDC has already received $15 million from the State of Illinois and is a recipient of the City of Chicago’s $1.4 billion affordable housing initiative for Phase I of Morgan Park Commons. Built-into the project budgets are $1.5 million in Community Service Grants to assist small business operations and home improvements, a down payment fund for renters within BCBI projects, a grant toward the renovation of 2-miles along Major Taylor Trail, and the development of a Welcome Center and Art Gallery, and a grant to Lavizzo Elementary School for technology and infrastructure improvements. Far South CDC will contribute an additional $1 million from profits gained from developer fees and management activities. 

Project Partners & Collaborations:

Far South Community Development Corp

DL3 Realty L.P.

POAH Inc.

Lamar Johnson Collaborative

Roseland Medical District 

Kinexx Modular Construction

Teska Associates

Lavizzo Elementary School

Jelani Realty Advisors LLC


Project Contact Information & Media:

Abraham Lacy, President/CEO

Far South Community Development Corp

E: lacy@farsouthcdc.org 


Florence Hardy, Chief Development & Innovation Officer

Far South Community Development Corp

E: florence@farsouthcdc.org


Katanya Raby, Director of Planning

Far South Community Development Corp

E: katanya@farsouthcdc.org


Patricia Ballay, Executive Administrator

Far South Community Development Corp

E: patricia@farsouthcdc.org

BCBI Projects

Morgan Park Commons Phase I

Morgan Park Commons Phase I

Morgan Park Commons Phase I

 80-Units of Rental Housing | 10,000 SF of Retail | 3-Acres Park Area

East Morgan Park, Chicago

Estimated Completion: 2024

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107 Jackie Robinson Terrace

Morgan Park Commons Phase I

Morgan Park Commons Phase I

 60-Units of Mixed-Use Housing | 20,000 SF of Retail | JR & MTT Connection

Washington Heights & Roseland, Chicago

Estimated Completion: 2026

Learn more

The "101" Residences

Morgan Park Commons Phase I

Lavizzo Modular Homes

36-Units of Mixed-Use Housing | 15,000 SF of Retail | Public Art Display  

Washington Heights, Chicago  

Estimated Completion: 2025

Coming Soon!

Lavizzo Modular Homes

Single-Family Home Renovations

Lavizzo Modular Homes

100-Units of Single-Family Homes | 170,000 SF | Affordable Modular Housing  

Roseland, Chicago  

Estimated Completion: 2025

Coming Soon!

Single-Family Home Renovations

Single-Family Home Renovations

Single-Family Home Renovations

19-Units of Single-Family Home Renovations | 25,130 SF | Affordable Housing

Varies on Chicago's Far South Side

Estimated Completion: Ongoing

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Welcome Center & Art Gallery

Single-Family Home Renovations

Single-Family Home Renovations

20,000 SF Welcome Center & Art Gallery | 2 Miles of MTT Bike Trail | Public Art Display East Morgan Park, Chicago  

Estimated Completion: 2024

Learn more

Direct Community Impact

295-Units of Housing

$2.5 Million in Community Service Grants

45,000 Square Feet of New Storefronts, including a 10,000 Square Foot Grocery Store

$100 Million+ in BIPOC-led Contract Opportunities

1,400+ New Residents

1.1 Million Square Feet of Vacant and Blighted Land Redeveloped

Direct Community Wealth Building

Down Payment Fund for Renters

Far South CDC will set up a Down Payment Fund for renters that live in Morgan Park Commons, 107 Jackie Robinson Terrace, and The “101” Residences to be utilized toward the down payment toward either: 

1) the purchase of a single-family home within the Washington Heights, Roseland, West Pullman, and East Morgan Park neighborhoods in Chicago; or 2) opening of a small business (e.g. e-commerce, retail storefront, etc.)


Minority Contracting Opportunities

Through the proposed $138.6 million in real estate development, BCBI will generate over $100+ million in construction and construction-related opportunities for BIPOC-led (Black and Indigenous People of Color) companies. 

Homeownership

The BCBI project will provide homeownership opportunities through the renovation and new construction of 119-affordable-single-family homes within the far south side neighborhoods of Roseland, West Pullman, Washington Heights, East Morgan Park, Chatham, South Chicago, and Auburn-Gresham.

Direct Community Service Grants

BCBI will contribute $1.5 million that is built into the development budgets and an additional $1 million contribution from developer fees gained by Far South Community Development Corporation that will be reinvested towards Community Service Grants totaling $2.5 million. These grants will be used to improve existing conditions and create opportunities for residents and businesses in the BCBI target community focus areas:


Lavizzo Elementary School

In support of building 100-modular single-family homes surrounding the Lavizzo Elementary School, Far South Community Development Corporation will contribute a $500,000 grant to Lavizzo Elementary School for building improvements or technology infrastructure. Additionally, families that are enrolled in Lavizzo Elementary School will have priority in obtaining a new single-family home.


Altgeld Gardens

Far South Community Development Corporation's BCBI will contribute a $500,000 grant to residents living in Altgeld Gardens for housing, food insecurity, and health and wellness activities. 


Home Renovation Grants

To support and provide critical home renovations for residents, BCBI's projects will contribute a $500,000 grant toward home renovations in Washington Heights, Roseland, West Pullman, East Morgan Park, and Riverdale. The average grant size would be up to $25,000 for permanent home repairs. 


Small Business Grants

Through the development activities, Far South Community Development Corporation will contribute a $500,000 grant toward existing small businesses along the South Halsted Business Corridor. The average grant size would be up to $10,000 per business for operations, equipment and supplies, and building improvements. These grants can be paired with existing area grants such as the Facade Enhancement Grants, Small Business Improvement Funds, and Neighborhood Opportunity Fund. 


Welcome Center & Art Gallery and Renovation of Major Taylor Bike Trail

The wealth shared via Far South Community Development Corporation through the revenue generated from the collection of residential and commercial rents, developer’s contributions and the net profits from the sale of single-family homes will contribute to $529K in funds toward the Center Hub and 2-mile MTT renovation from 107th Street to 122nd Street. Project Amenities will include an Art Gallery for local artists, Divvy Bike Station & Café, Weekend Farmer’s Market, 2 Miles of Major Taylor Bike Trail Renovation, Mini Health & Fitness Gym, and Training Classrooms.

Direct-Wrap Around Services

Small Business Center

Community & Housing Services

Community & Housing Services

Learn more

Community & Housing Services

Community & Housing Services

Community & Housing Services

Learn more

Our Partnerships & Collaborations

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Far South Community Development Corporation

837 West 115th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60643

(773) 831-7107

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