Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced three co-located housing and branch library projects in Irving Park, West Ridge and Little Italy will be presented for City Council and Chicago Plan Commission review and approval this summer.

“These innovative projects will bring new libraries and housing to Chicago’s neighborhoods,” Mayor Emanuel said. “I look forward to moving these new community anchors forward and turning them from renderings to reality.”
 
The three facilities are designed to revitalize vacant land in each neighborhood with a mix of residential and library uses. The residential portion of each facility will create mixed-income housing options for the community while the branch library portions will offer reading resources and programs for area children, families and building residents.
 
The architect for each structure was the winner of a design contest co-hosted by the Department of Planning and Development, the Chicago Public Library and the Chicago Housing Authority this winter. Each winner was paired with a developer that will work with community stakeholders to implement a project that meets each community’s needs. 

• The new Independence Branch and apartments at 4022 N. Elston Ave. is being designed by John Ronan Architects and developed by Evergreen Real Estate Group.
• The new Northtown Branch and apartments at 6800 N. Western Ave. is being designed by Perkins+Will and developed by Evergreen Real Estate Group.
• The new Roosevelt Branch and apartments at 1340 W. Taylor St. is being designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and developed by Related Midwest.

Community meetings to discuss each project are currently being scheduled; except for Independence Branch, which has been completed.

Each branch will include a built-out early childhood active learning space. School-aged children will have access to the Library’s Teacher in the Library program which offers free small one-on-one homework assistance. Teens will have access to technology, resources, and classes that inspire exploration, creativity and learning through the YOUmedia program.

CPL is working to increase technology and workforce programs for adults. These new branches will offer computer classes and one-on-one coaching to build digital literacy and technology skills for adults and seniors. Traditional library programs, such as book clubs for seniors and intergenerational educational and cultural programming will also be available to these communities.

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