Chicago City Wire

Mayor Johnson has announced $20 million in grants for 28 community development projects across Chicago. These projects, collectively valued at $58.5 million, were selected from over 250 applications submitted to the Department of Planning and Development’s Community Development Grant (CDG) and Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) programs. The funding is intended to cover construction, rehabilitation costs, and related expenses.

The CDG program is awarding between $500,000 and $4.3 million to ten finalists. These awards are funded through various sources including the Housing and Economic Development bond, Tax Increment Financing, and the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund.

Among the notable CDG projects are a mixed-use development on South Prairie Avenue receiving $4.3 million, renovations at the Chicago Architectural Center with a grant of $1.75 million, and a South Side birth center expansion supported by $3.3 million.

Additional CDG projects include a respite center in West Ridge for individuals with intellectual disabilities, which will receive $1 million; Maplewood Brewing's facility renovation in Logan Square with $1.5 million; and the conversion of storefronts into a movie theater at Music Box Theatre in Lake View with a grant of $1.2 million.

Three more CDG projects are receiving pre-development grants up to $150,000 for design and engineering fees among other soft costs.

Fifteen NOF finalists will receive grants up to $250,000 each. The NOF program uses fees from downtown construction projects to support small business and cultural initiatives on commercial corridors throughout the West, Southwest, and South sides of Chicago.

Notable NOF recipients include Linda’s Sport Shoes for façade improvements; Preserve – Breakfast Bar & Luncheonette for restaurant buildout; Shawn Brown Enterprises for commercial space renovation; Soul Veg City for outdoor amenities; CMB Catering for kitchen buildout; Red Clay Dance Company for studio space creation; The Grand Ballroom for event hosting space enhancements; Los Alamos Inc., FeOM Expressions, Eiffel Waffle among others receiving significant funding for their respective developments.

Proposals were evaluated based on financial need, location impact, team diversity and experience, as well as project readiness. Projects exceeding $250,000 require City Council approval.

For further details on these grant programs visit the Community Development Grant and Neighborhood Opportunity Fund websites.