Original Article: Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives
CNI is collaborating with the PullmanArts, local artists, and Artspace, a national developer of artist facilities, to create 38 work/live rental apartments, a studio and community space for exhibits in Pullman.
Construction is underway on Artspace Lofts, an innovative work/live space on Langley Avenue, just south of 111th Street. The Artspace Lofts development features the construction of a new building on an 18,500-square foot empty lot and the restoration of two long-vacant, historic buildings on both sides of the lot. When the $18 million development is completed in the Winter of 2019, it will be the first new residential construction in Pullman in approximately 50 years. In addition to the live/work spaces, it will include 2,000 square feet of community space for use as a gallery, meeting place, and community room for art classes and a variety of cultural programs.
In 2016, Artspace Lofts was approved by local, state, and federal authorities to proceed with development, following the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Properties. The Pullman Artspace Lofts is utilizing federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits and Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to provide $14+ million in equity to the project’s capital budget. Also in 2016, the project received approvals from the City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development and the City of Chicago Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards to proceed as designed. The Commission on Chicago Landmarks has also reviewed and approved the proposed project.
About Artspace
The nonprofit Artspace is one of America’s leading developers of arts facilities. They create affordable, appropriate places where artists can live and work in ways that build sustainable, healthy communities anchored in existing assets. With headquarters in Minneapolis, and offices in Denver, L.A., New Orleans, NY, and Washington, D.C., Artspace has consulted for hundreds of communities and arts organizations nationwide. Additional information is available at www.artspace.org.
About PullmanArts
PullmanArts protects, preserves, and promotes Pullman as a unique, major arts hub through the promotion of local artists by creating and supporting ongoing art and cultural events, activities and programs. Historically, Pullman was built to be an exceptionally beautiful place that would attract and retain the best artisans and craftsmen to build luxurious Pullman Palace Cars. Today, the National Historic Landmark District of Pullman continues to entice and inspire a diversity of artists whose creativity immeasurably enriches the community. PullmanArts was one of the key partners to advance Pullman being designated as a National Historical Monument. For more information, visit www.pullmanarts.org.
About Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives (CNI)
CNI is a Pullman based community development organization working collaboratively in under-resourced communities to identify and implement high-impact projects that build strong, healthy neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for its residents. Since its inception in 2010, CNI has generated more than $300 million in investments for new developments, creating more than 1,100 new jobs. CNI has preserved over 40 vacant, historic row homes for new homeowners, earning CNI numerous awards from the Chicago Commission on Landmarks. Additional information is available at www.cnigroup.org.
