NEAR WEST SIDE — The former Salvation Army Freedom Center, a massive property on the Near West Side, may soon become apartments.
Uptown-based developer Cedar Street has agreed to buy the 3-acre site at 1515 W. Monroe St., Cedar Street partner Alex Samoylovich confirmed to Crain's Chicago last week. According to Crain's, the developer plans to build a mix of apartments and retail space at the site.
For more than 70 years, the Monroe site was home to the Salvation Army's Freedom Center, a community center that housed multiple Salvation Army programs. The Freedom Center recently moved to to Chicago and Christina avenues in Humboldt Park.
Whitney Lewis, media relations manager for the Salvation Army Metropolitan Division, confirmed the non-profit has received an offer on the building and the sale is pending.
Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) said he looks forward to meeting with the developers.
"We will go through a robust community process and I look forward to an outcome that will reflect the beauty and diversity of the West Loop community," he said.
Cedar Street has not yet presented plans to the West Loop Community Organization or the West Central Association, officials confirmed.
The Near West Side Salvation Army center previously housed the Salvation Army's Harbor Light Center, a recovery center for people with addictions seeking treatment, and Pathway Forward, a program that helped thousands of men and women transition back into the community after incarceration.
The 1515 W. Monroe facility is about 100 years old.
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