Chicago’s Southwest Side development anchored by a new $700 million St. Anthony Hospital passed the City Council Wednesday, reports Block Club.
The 30-acre Focal Point Community Campus includes the new hospital, vocational school, day care, public market, affordable housing, restaurants, retail, sports fields, a theater and more at the former Washburne Trade School site. Opponents raised concerns that the project would lead to gentrification of the area.
The Chicago Planning Commission approved the plans last week, and the City Council’s Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building endorsed the project Tuesday.
Nonprofit Chicago Southwest Development Corp is managing the project.
“We started this project about 10 years ago and it’s been the hardest journey I’ve ever taken in my career,” Guy A. Medaglia, the nonprofit’s CEO, said in a statement. Read more.
