Progress Photos
4/16/2024: New sidewalks and parking lot in front of the Sawyer House, soon to be Resource Center, made possible by GROWTH's Rebuild Illinois grant. This center will offer essential services like property management assistance for residents living at Shimer Square, provide HUD-approved housing counseling and financial literacy by HUD-certified housing counselors. Economic Growth Corporation has served as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency since 2003.The Resource Center will also have dedicated co-work spaces for working parents with children at the Early Childhood Development Center, and providing crucial lending support for start-ups and small businesses through Bridge Investment Community Development Corporation, a certified CDFI. Due to active construction, the Resource Center will formally open to the public in 2025 when the apartments are nearing completion.
4/1/2024:The abatement process has been completed, indicating the start of demolition work inside Dezendorf Hall as of April 1, 2024. This signifies a notable advancement in the building's redevelopment. Crews will proceed with demolishing interior, non-historic walls and salvaging materials for re-use whenever feasible. The demolition is part of the $33.4 million rehabilitation and redevelopment of the McKee/Hostetter and Dezendorf Halls.