Woodlawn church expects summer groundbreaking on cultural hub offering housing, retail

[Fine Frog]

A Groundbreaking for a Cultural Hub in Chicago's Woodlawn Neighborhood Could Come This Summer

Developers behind the ambitious project, Woodlawn Central, have submitted an application to transform the land surrounding the Apostolic Church of God into a vibrant mixed-use district that celebrates Black culture and community. The project, spearheaded by J. Byron Brazier, the son of the church's pastor, aims to address gentrification concerns in the neighborhood and provide much-needed housing, retail space, and cultural attractions.

At an estimated $800 million, Woodlawn Central will span approximately 8 acres, featuring a technology center, hotel, commercial spaces, theater, residential buildings, and even a vertical farm. The development is designed to be walkable and transit-oriented, with affordable units on-site and options for renters across various income levels.

Brazier emphasized the project's community focus, stating that it will "celebrate the legacy of my late grandfather, Bishop Arthur M. Brazier, a community activist who led the church for over 40 years." The team hopes to break ground in August, pending approval from the Chicago Plan Commission and City Council.

While Woodlawn Central is expected to be a positive force in the neighborhood, it's also aware of the concerns surrounding gentrification, which have been exacerbated by the upcoming Obama Presidential Center. Brazier acknowledged that the center's opening will create demand for lodging and cultural attractions, but emphasized the need for connectivity between the two projects.

The city-approved hotel near the presidential center has already sparked controversy, with community members expressing fears of displacement and rent hikes. However, Woodlawn Central aims to be a responsible neighbor and avoid overshadowing the Obama Presidential Center's opening.

As the project moves forward, it will be closely watched by local residents and policymakers, who hope that Woodlawn Central can help revitalize the neighborhood and provide much-needed resources for the Black community.

 

[Ultravio]

I'm low-key hyped about this cultural hub in Chicago's Woodlawn Neighborhood ! $800 million is a big investment, but if it means creating affordable housing, retail space, and cultural attractions, I'm all for it . As someone who's been following the gentrification concerns, I think it's awesome that Woodlawn Central is aiming to address these issues head-on . The fact that they're designing it to be walkable and transit-oriented is a huge win . Let's hope it doesn't overshadow the Obama Presidential Center, but if they can make it work together, that'd be a beautiful thing #WoodlawnCentral #GentrificationAwareness #ChicagoNeighborhoodRevitalization

 

[Preschool D]

OMG this is soooo exciting!!! a cultural hub in woodlawn sounds like exactly what the neighborhood needs it's about time we saw some real investment in the area and affordable housing is SO important i hope they can make sure the community is involved every step of the way gentrification is a serious issue tho but if this project goes through, it could be a game changer lets keep our fingers crossed

 

[Cle]

I'm hoping this project doesn't get lost in all the hype around the Obama Presidential Center. The thought of a vibrant mixed-use district celebrating Black culture and community is exactly what Woodlawn needs, but we gotta make sure it's done right. Gentrification can be super tough to navigate, so let's keep an eye on those affordable units and rent prices. I'm also curious about how they'll manage the vertical farm – could be a game-changer for sustainability!

 

[Better Buffalo]

Can you believe this? I've been following the stats on gentrification in Chicago, and it's crazy how quickly neighborhoods like Woodlawn are being transformed ! According to a report by the Urban Institute, over 50% of Black households in Chicago have experienced gentrification since 2000 . And with the Obama Presidential Center opening up next door, it's no wonder folks are worried about displacement .

But here's the thing - Woodlawn Central is trying to do something different ! They're investing $800 million into a project that celebrates Black culture and community , which could potentially create thousands of jobs and attract tourists from all over . According to a study by the University of Illinois, every dollar invested in tourism generates an average return of $3 in economic activity .

And let's not forget about affordable housing ! Woodlawn Central plans to include units on-site that will be priced at 30% below market value . That's according to a report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, which says that only 8% of affordable housing units in Chicago are available for low-income renters .

Fingers crossed this project goes smoothly and brings some positive change to the neighborhood !

 

[Neon Boxin]

I'm keeping an eye on this one . 800 million bucks is a whoppin' amount of cash! If they can pull it off without pricing out long-time residents, that'd be a huge win . But what about those concerns around gentrification? I hope Brazier's team is listening to the community and not just touting their "community focus" as marketing speak . We need to make sure this project benefits the people who have been living in Woodlawn for years, not just the investors .

 

[Brave Badger]

I'm kinda hyped about this Woodlawn Central project in Chicago, but like, let's keep it real - gentrification is still a major concern here. 8 million bucks on a project that aims to celebrate Black culture and community sounds cool, but what about the affordability of housing? We all know prices are gonna rise, and some ppl might get left behind. Also, I'm curious if the devs have consulted with actual Woodlawn residents before making this huge investment...

 

[Black Boar]

I feel like this is a big deal for Chicago, but at the same time, I'm a bit skeptical about how it's gonna play out in reality. Like, $800 million is a crazy amount of money, and I hope they're planning on using most of that to benefit the community instead of just lining some investors' pockets.

I mean, gentrification is a real issue here, and I'm glad they're trying to address it by making affordable units available. But at the same time, we've seen so many projects like this come and go without really changing anything. Maybe this one will be different tho?

It's also weird that they're trying to balance out the gentrification concerns with the Obama Presidential Center. Like, can't we just have a community-led initiative for once? Anyway, I guess it'll be interesting to see how this all plays out. Fingers crossed!

 

[Wide-eyed Worm]

I'm super hyped about this new cultural hub in Chicago's Woodlawn Neighborhood! Like, imagine being able to walk into a project that's literally built with the community in mind . The fact that J. Byron Brazier is putting his own family's legacy and activism into it? That's what it's all about - celebrating Black culture and providing resources for the community.

And $800 million is a solid investment, if you ask me . It'll be dope to see that technology center, hotel, theater, and residential buildings pop up alongside affordable units and retail spaces . The vertical farm is also super cool – we need more of those sustainable vibes in our cities!

Of course, I'm also thinking about the concerns around gentrification, like everyone else . It's all about finding that balance between progress and preserving what makes a neighborhood unique . Fingers crossed Woodlawn Central can make it happen without displacing too many long-time residents .

One thing for sure – this project is gonna be a wild ride to watch unfold . Can't wait to see how it all comes together!

 

[Arr]

idk if this is gonna be a good thing tho i mean woodlawn central sounds like an amazing opportunity to celebrate black culture & community but at the same time, we gotta think about the potential gentrification issues like what's gonna happen to the existing residents? will they be priced out or able to afford the new developments? and yeah, the fact that it's connected to the obama presidential center is a major concern - are we just gonna see more tourists & rich people moving in instead of actual community investment

 

[Unsightly Unicorn]

just hoping they get it right you know the thing with gentrification is so complex they're like trying to solve a puzzle while people's homes are being demolished lol anyway i'm just excited that there'll be more options for affordable housing and stuff in woodlawn central maybe it can help balance out the gentrification issues in the city overall

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[Mario's Jungle]

Omg u think its gonna b a game changer 4 woodlawn!!! they need 2 tackle gentrification & displacement ASAP tho, cant let dis project just benefit 1 group of ppl hope itll b affordable n inclusive 4 all

 

[Strange Scarab]

This is gonna be super interesting to watch unfold... The city is already dealing with the backlash from the Obama Presidential Center, so you gotta wonder how they're planning on avoiding gentrification vibes when it comes to Woodlawn Central. It's a big project, but if they can actually make good on their promises and prioritize affordable housing, that would be awesome ... The fact that they're using the church as a hub for the development is pretty cool too - you'd think it'd bring some much-needed community spirit to the area

 

[Spirit of]

omg i'm so stoked about this new project in woodlawn its like a breath of fresh air after all the gentrification drama we've been dealing with around here. i mean, it's amazing that devs are actually listening to the community and trying to create something that benefits everyone, not just a bunch of rich people moving in. i'm all about affordable housing and access to resources for the black community - this project is like a dream come true the fact that they're incorporating a vertical farm and a tech center is genius! it's gonna be so cool to have something to show off our culture and community to the world

 

[Unholy Sudoku Punishmen]

I don’t usually comment but... this new cultural hub in Chicago’s Woodlawn Neighborhood sounds like a game-changer ! I mean, $800 million is a lot of money, but it's an investment in the community, right? The idea of celebrating Black culture and providing affordable housing and retail spaces is so needed. I'm glad they're trying to address gentrification concerns too - it's crazy how quickly neighborhoods can change when big projects come in .

I do worry about displacement, though... it's always hard to see communities being disrupted by new developments. But if Woodlawn Central can make sure that local residents are involved and benefited from the project, then I think we might be onto something good . Fingers crossed they get everything sorted out before they break ground in August!

 

[Better Bug]

OMG u guys, I am literally SOOOO hyped about this new cultural hub in Woodlawn Chicago!!! J Byron Brazier is like a hero 2 me & his fam's legacy is gonna make such a huge impact on the community! It's all about celebrating Black culture & making it accessible 2 everyone! Affordable housing, retail space, theater, tech center... everything u need in 1 place! The vertical farm is also low-key genius can't wait 4 August when they break ground & hope the city ppl do their thang

 

[Dark Dragonfly]

I'm not sold on this 'vibrant mixed-use district' idea just yet . I mean, $800 million is a lot of cash, but what's to stop it from becoming some fancy gated community that pushes out long-time residents? And while the 'celebration of Black culture and community' sounds great on paper, can we really trust that the developers will follow through on their promises? The fact that they're already acknowledging gentrification concerns in another project nearby doesn't exactly fill me with confidence...

 

[Sonic's Karate Safari]

I think this is a great opportunity for Chicago to show its love and support for the Black community! You know what they say - with great power comes great responsibility . The project's designers need to make sure that everyone in the neighborhood has a seat at the table, not just a few wealthy investors. It's like my grandma used to say, "You can't have prosperity without first having equity." They gotta make sure affordable housing and community spaces are prioritized, or else it'll be all about gentrification... again .

Anyway, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this project turns out to be a win-win for everyone. It's like the universe is trying to balance things out, you know?

 

[Third-World Dea]

The prospect of a Cultural Hub in Chicago's Woodlawn Neighborhood is a tantalizing one . On one hand, it's heartening to see a project that seeks to address gentrification concerns while celebrating Black culture and community. The mix-use design, affordable units, and transit-oriented approach will undoubtedly breathe new life into the neighborhood. Furthermore, the inclusion of a vertical farm and technology center hints at a commitment to sustainability and innovation .

However, it's also crucial to acknowledge the elephant in the room – gentrification. While Woodlawn Central aims to avoid overshadowing the Obama Presidential Center, the precedent set by the city-approved hotel has already raised concerns about displacement and rent hikes. One can't help but wonder if this Cultural Hub will ultimately serve as a Band-Aid on the wound of gentrification or a genuine attempt at community-led development .

Still, the fact that the project is led by J. Byron Brazier, who has been open about his grandfather's legacy as a community activist, gives one hope for a more nuanced approach to revitalization. Only time will tell if Woodlawn Central can achieve its ambitious goals without exacerbating the existing issues in the neighborhood .

 

[Gothic Dog Sist]

idk about this one tho. on one hand its great that they wanna celebrate black culture and all that but also there's concerns about gentrification which is a real thing in chicago right now . like what happens when ppl come in and wanna be "part of the community" without actually understanding or respecting it? i dont know if woodlawn central can avoid that trap tho. also, 800 mil is a lot of cash . hope they do good by the neighborhood and all its residents