Sunshine Gospel Ministries is planning a $32 million community center on vacant lots bounded by 60th and 61st Streets, King Drive and Calumet Avenue. Sunshine Gospel Ministries is working with Civic Projects Architecture and the Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives.
The project will include the following:
- Three stories tall building
- Large outdoor plaza
- Garden
- 2,000 square foot cafe
- Community space
- Multi-sized gathering spaces
- 20,000 square foot fitness facility with a gym and two basketball courts
- Visual and graphic arts classrooms
- Recording studio
- 10,000 square feet of classrooms and common use space on second floor
- 18,000 square feet of office space on third floor for ministries' new head office
- Remaining space on third floor to be leased out to local entrepreneurs
Block Club Chicago states that community programs would be free, and neighbors would only pay fees to rent multipurpose spaces for private events. It is estimated to be completed in 2025 according to the nonprofit's website.
"The community center is for the 20th Ward and for other neighbors from surrounding areas. It is for young people, K-12 grade; also young adults, as it relates to mentoring and workforce development, through our violence intervention program and for survivors of gunshot wounds and their families."
Sunshine Executive Director | Kimberly Salley
Three schools are within about a 15 minute walk of the proposed site: Fiske Elementary, Chicago International Charter School - Washington Park and Dulles School of Excellence.
Older people who are not served by Sunshine's existing program would also benefit from services like gathering spaces, tech access and a variety of classes. It's projected to serve 2,000 people per year.
Chicago Yimby reports that the $32 million center currently is planning to cover the bill with $13.5 million in grants from the state, additional tax credits, fundraising, $5 million from the Chicago Recovery Grant and $2 million in TIF funds.
$25 million would go towards construction, $5 million would pay for "soft costs" like legal aid and designs and about $2 million would be spent to acquire the city-owned vacant land according to David Doig, president of community developer Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives.
Sunshine would move its offices at 500 E. 61st St. into the center, allowing that space to be repurposed into storefronts or a business incubator.
Residents within a half-mile radius must now vote on supporting the TIF spend and zoning change as they postponed the most recently scheduled community meeting.