Commercial Development
Through our commercial development activities, LCDC has generated over $14 million of investment in the Lawndale community. Since 1990, we have developed offices for several social service organizations. In 1995, we developed Lawndale’s only sit-down restaurant, Lou Malnatti’s Pizza. In 1997, we worked with the City of Chicago through a Strategic Neighborhood Action Plan that brought more than $9 million in infrastructure development to the community, rehabbing 4 schools, improving Ogden Avenue, and repairing sidewalks, streets and sewers. In 2001, we completed the $3.4 million Jubilee Family Resource Center through a partnership with the Carole Robertson Center for Learning and the Illinois Facilities Fund, providing subsidized care to 217 children and creating 50 new jobs.
How was the Jubilee Family Resource Center developed?
Jubilee Family Resource Center and its sister facility, the Little Village Family Resource Center, are the fruit of a creative collaboration called the Family Resource Center Partnership. The partnership was comprised of LCDC; The Carole Robertson Center for Learning, a parent-governed social service nonprofit which has served west side families since 1976; the Illinois Facilities Fund, a nonprofit community development financial institution with extensive experience developing childcare centers in low-income neighborhoods; and The Resurrection Project, a successful community development corporation dedicated to building a healthy Pilsen, Little Village, and Back of the Yards community through housing, economic development, and family programming.
Funding for the two centers was innovative, as well, coming through a wide variety of public and private sources. The project used $3 million in equity through the Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community Program. In addition, each center received a financial commitment from the Northern Trust Company; CD Float financing from the Chicago Department of Planning and Development; a Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) Loan and a CSBG Grant from the Chicago Department of Human Services; and a loan from the Illinois Facilities Fund. The Carole Robertson Center and LCDC each raised $175,000 as capital towards the project.
Jubilee Family Resource Center is a both functional and beautiful architectural asset to Lawndale. Childcare rooms, a recreation room, and administrative offices are built around a courtyard that allows children to play outside safely. A rainbow of bright colors covers both the inside and outside of the Center and lively shapes are used for windows, entrances, and the building itself. The shapes and colors of the brick and tile are patterned after African Kente Cloth. This symbolizes the pride of Lawndale residents in their lineage and in the strength and accomplishments that have been achieved in the midst of struggle against injustice. Children are learning in a stimulating space that inspires them to continue to be strong and accomplish great things. We want them to know their value as the future of this community.