Park proposed for land surrounding historic Raber House

September 8, 2010

Greenspace would make pre-Fire home a community focal point

Peter Strazzabosco    312.744.9267


A new park would be created around one of the city's oldest homes through a redevelopment proposal submitted to City Council today by Mayor Richard M. Daley.

The proposal would authorize the city to acquire 21 parcels of land surrounding the historic Raber House in the Washington Park community. The parcels, along with other parcels already owned by the city, would be combined to create seven acres of public greenspace around the home.

"The land acquisitions are a great opportunity to bring new green space to the Washington Park community and also to reinforce the Raber House's longtime role as a community focal point," said Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Located at 5760 S. Lafayette Ave., the Raber House was built in 1870 and designated as an official Chicago landmark in 1996. The structure, owned by the City, is vacant and awaiting redevelopment.

In addition to increasing parkland within the community, the land acquisitions are anticipated to enhance the structure's adaptive reuse potential. The parcels surrounding it are mostly vacant and owned by a variety of private entities. A portion of their acquisition costs, estimated at $1.1 million, would be funded by a state grant. The land would eventually be transferred to the Chicago Park District and improved with ball fields and other recreational amenities.

The only other nearby open space in the community is Hansberry playlot, which is small, and Washington Park, where the largest open spaces are often occupied by leagues and programming.

If approved by City Council, the land acquisitions would be completed within the next several years.