WEST RIDGE — West Ridge is closer to getting a new library with affordable housing for seniors above it after the Chicago Plan Commission unanimously approved the plans Thursday afternoon.
The project is a collaboration between Chicago Public Libraries and the Chicago Housing Authority and calls for a 16,000-square-foot library with three stories of apartments for seniors above it to be built at 6800 N. Western Ave., the corner of Western and Pratt.
At Thursday's Plan Commission meeting, officials approved the development proposed by EREG Development LLC, or Evergreen Real Estate Group.
The project will still need to pass through the city's zoning committee to change the property's status as being in a residential area to a community shopping area. It will then head to City Council.
CHA CEO Eugene Jones told West Ridge residents last fall the project was on a tight timeline and vowed it would be complete by December 2018.
"From the mayor's perspective, I've got to do this quickly, I can't slow down," Jones said in November. "So if there's anything that's sitting in front of my way I have to knock it down because ... this is important to the mayor, and I'm pretty sure your community, and the alderman."
Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) advocated on behalf of the development at Thursday's meeting, telling commission members that the neighborhood's current Northtown Branch is outdated and in sore need of replacement.
The Northtown location was built in 1962, but has not been renovated since — though officials have said it is in the top 10 most-used library branches.
In June, design firm Perkins + Will released renderings on what the space will look like, which includes a community area, gardens, 44 parking spaces, abundance of windows and overall modern design.
Ald. Walter Burnett (27th) said the development was “beautiful” and expressed hope a similar project could be built in his West Side ward.
The West Ridge branch is one of three new co-located housing/library buildings around the city, with Irving Park and Taylor Street also getting updated branches.
Designs by Perkins + Will
