FY24 Community Project Funding
Projects Requested
Listed below are the projects Congressman García has submitted to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration for FY24 Community Project Funding (listed in alphabetical order):
Project Title: Chicago Commons Expansion Project
Project Recipient:Chicago Commons
Address of Recipient: 515 East 50th Street Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60615
Project Location: 4630 South Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
This project will allow Chicago Commons to construct a new community hub serving Chicago’s Southwest Side community of Back of the Yards. This project is in partnership with various community organizations including the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council (BOTYNC) and will create two separate, mixed-use buildings.The lower levels will house community space open to local non-profit organizations. The higher levels will provide 92 units of affordable residential housing for families at or below 60% the area median income. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will help provide a safe and accessible mixed-use building to offer housing options and shared community spaces.
Link to Disclosure: FD and Federal Nexus _ Chicago Commons.pdf
Project Title: LeClaire Courts Redevelopment - Public Street
Project Recipient: Chicago Housing Authority
Address of Recipient: 60 E. Van Buren, Chicago, IL 60605
Project Location: Cicero Ave to Lavergne Avenue and 45th Street to 43rd Street
Amount: $2,000,000
CHA seeks to reinstate the street grid on this large site along Cicero Avenue, the Gateway to Midway Airport. The development plan for this vacant site is to bring back mixed-income affordable housing units, a federally-qualified health center, school, child care center along other economic development opportunities. The funding will be used to reconstruct the streets, curbs, and sidewalks along this community project. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will benefit the current and new residents of the area as well as increase pedestrian and driver safety.
Link to Disclosure Letter:FD and Federal Nexus _ Chicago Housing Authority .pdf
Project Title: Chicago Transit Authority - Cicero Grade Crossing Improvements
Project Recipient: Chicago Transit Authority
Address of Recipient: 567 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661.
Project Location: 2134 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60804
Amount: $1,000,000
This project will enhance the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Pink Line crossing at 2134 South Cicero Avenue covering both civil and signal system upgrades. Improvements include replacement of the roadways, sidewalks, continuous protective rubber boots as well as converting the signal lighting to LED via gate cables, batteries, and mechanisms to operate the gates. Moreover, this project also introduces a pilot LiDAR system to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety near the tracks. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds by reducing recurring maintenance costs and improving vehicular and pedestrian safety.
Link to Disclosure Letter: FD and Federal Nexus _ Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).pdf
Project Title: Chinese American Service League - Senior Housing
Project Recipient: Chinese American Service League Inc.
Address of Recipient: 2141 S Tan Ct., Chicago, IL 60616.
Project Location: 3100 South Pitney Avenue, Chicago IL 60608
Amount: $2,000,000
This project will allow CASL to expand their plan to develop affordable senior housing serving Chicago’s Southwest Side neighborhood of Bridgeport. CASL will construct 90 affordable senior housing units located at 3100 South Pitney Court, in the Bridgeport neighborhood, where currently 29% of 0-1 bedroom units are affordable (60% AMI), 7% are legally restricted affordable units and only 79 units are existing affordable senior housing. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will benefit the entire region as an example of an equitable-transit oriented project accessible to public transportation, public services, and businesses.
Link to Disclosure Letter: FD and Federal Nexus _ Chinese American Service League.pdf
Project Title: City of Chicago- Midway Orange Line Station
Project Recipient: City of Chicago
Address of Recipient:121 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60602
Location: 4612 W 59th Street, Chicago, IL 60629
Amount: $5,500,000
The project will allow the City of Chicago to expand vertical circulation to and from the rail platforms and pedestrian walkways linking the Midway Orange Line station to the Midway passenger terminal and public parking garage. This project will widen and reconfigure the pedestrian walkway between the station and the Midway passenger terminal. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds by increasing the accessibility, capacity, ridership, and safety of using the CTA Orange Line service for airport workers, passengers, and all travelers.
Link to Disclosure Letter: FD and Federal Nexus _ City of Chicago Midway Orange Line.pdf
Project Title: Strong Wall, Strong Youth
Project Recipient: Corazón Community Services
Address of Recipient:5339 West 25th Street, Cicero, IL 60804
Location: 5339 West 25th Street, Cicero, IL 60804
Amount: $100,000
This project will allow Corazón Community Services to provide a safe and accessible space for young adults and community members across Cicero and Berwyn. Funding will go towards the reconstruction and repair of the current youth center that has been in existence for over 20 years. Specifically, repairs will be done to the front masonry brick wall separating from the rest of the structure. It will help reduce the water damage, seepage, damage to drywall, and heavy cold air drafts. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will benefit the community by creating a safe, accessible, and climate resistance space for everyone.
Link to Disclosure: FD and Federal Nexus _ Corazon Community Services.pdf
Project Title: Cultivate Collective: Green Business Institute
Project Recipient: Cultivate Collective
Address of Recipient: 4942 W 44th St, Chicago, IL 60638.
Project Location: 4944 W 44th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60638
Amount: $3,000,000
This project will go towards the construction and development of a job training center serving Chicago’s Southwest Side (Green Business Institute). The construction of the center will be the first of its kind in the region and will be strategically located nearby a newly constructed school, community center, child care center, affordable housing units, and healthcare center. This hub is part of a redevelopment project to economically reactivate the region through sustainable and green spaces. The center will house workforce training programs including agriculture, technology, and green jobs. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will benefit the community historically underserved by providing an opportunity for a safe and accessible center to learn necessary skills for economic advancement.
Link to Disclosure Letter:FD and Federal Nexus _ Cultivate Collective.pdf
Project Title: Expansion of Youth and Community Programs in Brighton Park
Project Recipient: Gads Hill Center
Address of Recipient: 1919 W. Cullerton St., Chicago, IL 60608
Project Location: 4255-4257 South Archer Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60632
Amount: $1,313,400
This project will support the expansion of Gads Hill Center’s Early Childhood Center in Brighton Park to provide additional space for community programs. The funds will go towards the reconstruction of the center to ensure it is accessible and safe for all age ranges and abilities while providing child care, workforce, and violence prevention opportunities. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds by creating a safe and accessible space to serve and convene young children, families, and youth while strengthening the Southwest Side communities.
Link to Disclosure:FD and Federal Nexus _ Gads Hill Center.pdf
Project Title: Pillars Community Health Domestic Violence Shelter Renovation
Project Recipient: Pillars Community Health
Address of Recipient: 6918 Windsor Avenue Berwyn, IL 604025
Project Location: 6918 Windsor Avenue Berwyn, IL 60402
Amount: $1,000,000
This project will allow Pillars Community Health to renovate the Constance Morris House (CMH) Domestic Violence Shelter. The current 3-story facility was constructed 33 years ago and provides dormitory-style living space for 18-20 resident clients at one time. To meet best practice standards and new infection control standards arising from the coronavirus pandemic, we are converting these congregate living spaces to individual private family rooms with bathrooms. The new layout allows for greater privacy and infection control, while allowing flexibility to connect adjoining rooms. Other renovations will be made to the interior and exterior for the safety of members. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will benefit the region by providing access to a safe and confidential community shelter.
Link to Disclosure Letter: FD and Federal Nexus _ Pillars Community Health.pdf
Project Title: Economic Development Initiative by Pilsen Wellness Center
Project Recipient: Pilsen-Little Village Community Mental Health Center, Inc. d/b/a Pilsen Wellness Center, Inc.
Address of Recipient: 2015 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60608
Project Location: 35-32 and 3540 South Hermitage Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60609
Amount: $2,680,500
This project will allow Pilsen Wellness Center to repair and rebuild a safe community space serving Chicago’s Southwest side neighborhoods of McKinley Park, Gage Park, Brighton Park, New City, South Lawndale, Bridgeport, and the Lower West side communities of Chicago. Funding will go to transform them into appropriate, ADA accessible center spaces for the safe delivery of quality social services for youth ages 10-26 and their families. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will benefit the community by creating safe spaces to promote community development, education, crime victim support services, mental health programs, and food pantry services to low-income families who reside in historically marginalized geographic areas in the state of Illinois.
Link to Disclosure Letter: FD and Federal Nexus _ Pilsen- Little Village Community Mental Health Center.pdf
Project Title: Leadership Development Institute
Project Recipient: Pilsen Neighbors Community Council
Address of Recipient: 2026 South Blue Island Ave. Chicago, IL
Project Location: 2026 S Blue Island Avenue Chicago, IL 60608
Amount: $3,000,000
This project will construct a leadership development center to house multiple professional programs serving the Pilsen neighborhood and surrounding communities. The Leadership Development Institute (LDI) will work in partnership with Pilsen Neighbors Community Council, whose mission is to create workforce and training opportunities. The construction will include Latino Legal Institute, the Community Education Center, the Academy of Parents in Leadership and the Business Incubator Center. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will benefit the community by providing a safe and accessible space for economic and workforce advancement.
Link to Disclosure: FD and Federal Nexus _ Pilsen Neighbors Community Council.pdf
Project Title: Schiller Blvd. Improvements Projects
Project Recipient: Village of Franklin Park
Address of Recipient: 9500 Belmont Avenue, Franklin Park, IL 60131
Project Location: Schiller Boulevard, Franklin Park, Illinois, 60131
Amount: $1,226,740
This project will initiate the Lead Service Replacement Program from Scott Street to Ruby Street in the Village of Franklin Park. The project will impact hundreds of homes and multiple institutions along Schiller Boulevard, a top corridor for the village. The funding will impact beyond road repair as it allows for the opportunity to provide families with access to clean water while creating a more welcoming, landscaped environment. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will benefit the community because it will enhance the quality of life for residents and improve businesses accessibility across the community.
Link to Disclosure: FD and Federal Nexus _ Village of Franklin Park.pdf
Project Title: Storm and Combined Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation
Project Recipient: Village of La Grange
Address of Recipient: 53 South La Grange Road., La Grange, IL 60525.
Project Location: 53 S. La Grange Rd, La Grange, IL 60525
Amount: $1,434,000
This project will allow the Village of La Grange to rehabilitate their Storm and Combined Sanitary Sewer, approximately 92,900 LF of pipe would be evaluated and rehabilitated to ensure optimal functionality for resiliency against flooding and stormwater. This area of La Grange is prone to overland flooding from Des Plaines Tributary A in the area of La Grange south of 47th Street near to our border area of La Grange Highlands and Countryside. This project will evaluate these sewer systems to identify deficiencies and accelerate investment in correction of aged infrastructure (installed in 1920-1950). The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will benefit the Western Suburbs region by alleviating flooding and improving pedestrian and driver safety.
Link to Disclosure Letter: Final_-FD and Federal Nexus _ Village of La Grange.pdf
Project Title: Central Area Storm Sewer Separation Project
Project Recipient: Village of La Grange Park
Address of Recipient: 447 N. Catherine Avenue, La Grange Park, IL 60526.
Project Location: 745 Homestead Road., La Grange Park, IL 60526
Amount: $5,000,000
This project seeks funding for the central area of LaGrange Park which is subject to extreme flooding during heavy rain periods. This area is connected to a combination sewer system that sur-charges when one inch or more of rain falls. The project would install new storm sewers at strategic locations along a route that would flow to an underground storm water pumping station, then get pumped into a force storm water main to the Salt Creek waterway. This system would defer storm water from the combination system to provide relief to the property owners served by this system. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will benefit the Western Suburbs region by alleviating flooding and improving pedestrian and driver safety.
Link to Disclosure Letter:FD and Federal Nexus _ Village of LaGrange Park.pdf
Project Title: 25th Avenue Water System Improvements
Project Recipient: Village of Melrose Park
Address of Recipient: 1000 North 25th Avenue, Melrose Park, IL 60160
Project Location: 25th Avenue from Lake Street to Norwood Avenue
Amount: $490,000
This project will initiate the reconstruction of the newer parallel water main replacements along 25th Avenue in Melrose Park. These improvements will improve the reliability and efficiency of the village’s water system and ensure standards of water quality and safety are met. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will benefit the village and surrounding communities by eliminating the ongoing water main breaks and reducing the recurring costs of pavement patching.
Link to Disclosure Letter:FD and Federal Nexus _ Village of Melrose Park.pdf