Neighbors, 

I wanted to take a moment to provide you with some updates regarding the development at Howard/Paulina (“The Werner”) since our first community meeting on April 26 . During the meeting, Housing for All shared updates on its application, on the planned development process, and answered questions and concerns. To watch a recording of the meeting, please click here.

Housing for All, LLC is proposing to develop a mixed-use workforce housing development at the corner of Howard and Paulina in the 49th Ward. The project will comprise two lots at that intersection, spanning 7603-7619 N. Paulina and 1646-1660 W. Howard.

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The proposal includes plans to construct 104 units over two phases, 82 of which would be set aside for households earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The remaining 22 would be set aside for households earning at or below 30% AMI. 10% of the units would be set aside as type A fully accessible units, with another 20% set aside as easily adaptable to fully accessible. 

Since the first meeting, our office has been compiling and analyzing the responses received from the community survey. Overall, the majority of respondents are in favor of this development, with many expressing support for the equitable, transit-oriented aspects of the proposal, the need for more affordable housing and mixing of incomes in the neighborhood, and the preservation of the historic Werner Building - included on Preservation Chicago’s 2023 Most Endangered Buildings list. A minority of respondents were worried about an increase in parking issues and concentrating such a large number of affordable housing units in one building. These community comments have been shared with Housing for All for their consideration as they modify plans for the future of the sites. 

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Second, Housing for All received word in late June that their application for the highly competitive tax credits was not one of the 18 selected by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). The development team plans to re-apply when the next round opens later this year. In the meantime, the development team has met with the Departments of Planning and Development and Housing to discuss the project and get alignment from the City. Housing for All is also using this time to rework their plans for site development. They plan to switch phases - focusing now on rehabilitating the Werner Building and the new construction to the north while leaving the one-story building that houses Redz Belizean and the currency exchange. 

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Finally, last week, the developers closed on the purchase of the properties spanning 7603-7619 N. Paulina and 1646-1660 W. Howard. Neighbors will begin to see work being done around the building as crews begin to clean the interior, repair windows and doors, add security and new lighting, and secure the site. Additionally, the development team has been working diligently with the retail tenants to ensure a smooth transition to temporary spaces as site work is completed. 

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This is a very exciting economic development opportunity for Howard Street, and my office and I are committed to bringing much-needed development that doesn’t displace neighbors, helps revitalize a critical commercial corridor, promotes equity and diversity, and promotes better sustainability. Please keep a watch for more information as it becomes available, and you can always reach out to my office by phone at 773-338-5796 or emailing office@49thward.org for more information.

 

Alderwoman Maria Hadden