CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson was among a number of notable people on-hand Saturday morning for the ribbon cutting of a new mixed-use development set to break ground in Garfield Park next year.
“We never see our community for what it is not, only what it can and should be,” said Pastor Michael Eaddy, who is also the head of the People’s Community Development Association of Chicago. “This is a glorious day.”
Eaddy joined Johnson as them and a group of developers cut the ribbon in front of where the mixed-use development will be built.
The project is a part of phase two of Harvest Homes, and will bring 50 one-to-three bedroom apartment units, recreational space, and a food hall featuring Black-owned restaurants like Soul Food Lounge and Oooh Wee! It Is! to the intersection of Jackson and Homan in Garfield Park.
“We have to make sure developers reflect the communities that they’re developing in,” Johnson said. “This project symbolizes ongoing effort [to bring] affordable housing to the West Side of Chicago.”
The first phase of Harvest Homes was launched in 2017, with the construction of a development that featured nearly 40 affordable housing units.
“Here we are, six years later, embarking on the next phase of Harvest Homes,” said Lycrecia Parks, Vice President of Portfolio Management at the Chicago Community Loan Fund. “Building a community where people can access affordable housing, where children will soon be able to look out their window and be proud of the neighborhood they live in.”
Construction for phase two is set to begin next summer and finish in 2026, with a third phase of the Harvest Homes project in the works for after the completion of this development.
“I’ve always said this, if we get Garfield Park on track, the rest of the West Side gets on track,” said Ald. Jason Ervin (28th Ward). “Which means the rest of the city gets on track. So, it all starts right here.”
Gaynor Hall
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