Roosevelt Square, Chicago, IL

Deal Summary:

Developed by Related Midwest in partnership with Quest Development Group and Heartland Housing, this six-phase, 2,441 unit redevelopment of the Chicago Housing Authority's ABLA Homes complex is located on 110 acres in Chicago's Near West Side neighborhood. Plans call for a mixed-income approach to the development of 1,090 rental units, 1,351 for-sale units and approximately 75,000 square feet of retail.

Design Elements:

Roosevelt Square was designed to integrate the historic pattern of urban development with modern development trends. For-sale and rental buildings are mixed throughout the development on a block-by-block basis. The existing street grid was redesigned providing a traditional neighborhood where residents can walk conveniently to local services and transportation and interact with their neighbors. Architectural styles are in character with the surrounding community and evoke the best of Chicago's tradition for sturdy, well-constructed and thoughtfully designed homes.

Financing:

The master plan received nearly $60 million in HOPE VI awards. Two of six rental phases have been completed. One for-sale phase has been completed. Once completed, the project’s total development cost will approach $700 million. Leveraged funds will include low income housing tax credit equity, conventional debt, developer equity, tax increment financing, as well as HOME and assorted other funds.

Community Impact:

Substantial public sector investment has built a 57,000 square foot community center that offers an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium and a new daycare facility. Public safety has been improved by the building of a new fire station and community policing strategies. A new police station is being planned. Working with third-party service providers, the developers crafted a case management initiative that prepares returning Housing Authority residents for their new lives through adult education, job-training and post-occupancy services.

Humboldt Ridge, Chicago, IL

Deal Summary:

Developed by Related Midwest, this new construction development of 100 family-sized units in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago created workforce rental housing.

Design Elements:

This development created an award winning design reflecting the Latino heritage of the surrounding community. Through innovative site and building design the development was able to reclaim an abandoned and environmentally hazardous parcel of railroad siding set on a steep embankment. Two sets of buildings each cluster around their own central courtyard with green space and parking. Amenities include a community room, laundry facilities and on-site management office.

Financing:

This $18 million ten-building development utilized low-income housing tax credit equity, state housing trust fund, and conventional debt.

Community Impact:

By reclaiming a blighted vacant parcel and replacing it with high quality workforce housing affordable to community residents, the development spurred substantial improvements by owner occupants and investors to neighboring structures. Community outreach before, during and after construction created a “win-win” for the development and its neighbors.

RiverWest, Peoria, IL

Project Summary:

Developed by Related Midwest, this comprehensive redevelopment of the Peoria Housing Authority's Colonel John Warner Homes complex created a 233-unit, mixed-income, master-planned community.

Design Elements:

The multifamily buildings in this planned community emulate the designs found in the adjacent single family home neighborhoods. Amenities include common area porches, front yards fronting on private streets, a central park, a public library branch and a community building. The site’s layout and improvements work together to encourage resident interaction and civic life.

Financing:

The master plan received a $16 million HOPE VI award. Additional leverage included $30 million in private and public investment, including $12.5 million in low income housing tax credits, $3.6 million in tax increment financing, and CDBG and HOME funds.

Community Impact:

The Housing Authority planned and coordinated new supportive service initiatives including a job-training effort to help residents access jobs within walking distance of their homes.