Ciere Boatright commissioner of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) | City of Chicago Website
Ciere Boatright commissioner of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) | City of Chicago Website
A former church in West Garfield Park is set to become the MAAFA Center for Arts & Activism, thanks to a $2.4 million grant from the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund. The Chicago City Council approved the funding, which will aid in rehabilitating the building located at 4241 W. Washington Blvd.
The MAAFA Redemption Project plans to invest a total of $6 million into redeveloping the property as its new headquarters. The center will offer programs focused on arts, education, organizing, and neighborhood activation. Facilities will include an art gallery, classrooms, meeting spaces, a library, a fitness center, and dining and lounge areas.
Originally constructed in 1916 as St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, the building's redevelopment is expected to create 22 full-time jobs and 56 part-time positions. Founded in 2017, the MAAFA Redemption Project aims to provide workforce development, educational training, and mental wellness services for at-risk young men.
The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund uses fees from downtown construction projects to support investments in commercial corridors on Chicago's South, Southwest, and West sides. Grants exceeding $250,000 require approval from the City Council.
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