- Details
Land Acquisition Finally Complete for the Focal Point Community Campus
and New Saint Anthony Hospital
Chicago Southwest Development Corp. Closes on Site of Former Washburne Trade School
CHICAGO – A game changing development is on its way to the Southwest side of Chicago. The 30-acre Focal Point Community Campus located at 31st and South Kedzie Avenue, will be designed to provide close to half a million residents of the west and southwest side with greater access to health and wellness, education, recreational space, and overall economic opportunity.
Last week what started as an 11-acre parcel of land given to Saint Anthony Hospital by Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Office in 2010 for a replacement facility, closed with the city – 12 years, three administrations, and $5 million later. As a key component of the campus and location for the new hospital, the Washburne site was critical to this development.
“After what felt like a series of insurmountable obstacles, this phase of the journey has finally come full circle,” said Guy A. Medaglia, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Southwest Development Corporation (CSDC). “I am proud of the work we have done to reach this point, and all the local and global support we have built behind this project. We made a promise to the community that this campus would be built, and I am thrilled to finally be able to move forward towards breaking ground.”
The project has received input and unwavering support from community groups, elected officials, and thousands of residents – all instrumental in getting Focal Point to where it is today. Over the years, local and national donors have expressed interest in supporting the project. Now that the land acquisition is final, CSDC can finally pursue the philanthropic support that will make this transformational vision for our city a reality.
“I’m very pleased CSDC has acquired the Washburne site, and the Focal Point campus can now take a giant step forward,” said 22nd Ward Alderman Mike Rodriguez. “The potential to bring so many community resources, jobs, more green space on clean land, along with a new Saint Anthony Hospital is going to be a great investment for the Little Village community. I appreciate the support of so many residents, stakeholders, and the City as this development will bring so much opportunity for the southwest side of Chicago.”
The project was approved by Chicago City Council in January of this year. Planning has already begun for land remediation on the property, and Saint Anthony Hospital also started the next phase of architectural programming for the new hospital design.
For more information about the project visit Focalpointchicago.org