Ciere Boatright commissioner of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) | LinkedIn
Ciere Boatright commissioner of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) | LinkedIn
A proposal for a $980,000 arts and cultural center in Austin has been put forward by Mayor Brandon Johnson. The initiative seeks to transform a vacant building into the Outwest Gallery and Cafe, utilizing a $663,000 grant from the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund. The project aims to create a 2,500-square-foot community space at 5249 W. Chicago Ave., featuring local art displays and offering healthy food through a pay-what-you-can model.
An additional $75,000 in funding is earmarked for local hiring and training once the project reaches completion. The center's programming will benefit from its location near the POPCourts! community plaza, which opened in 2021 and hosts outdoor events.
The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund supports neighborhood investments on the South, Southwest, and West sides of the city by allocating fees from downtown construction projects. Grants over $250,000 require approval from the City Council.
Alerts Sign-up