Groundbreaking ceremonies held at 3060 N. Milwaukee Ave. on Wednesday, Oct. 29 signal the start of construction on a project that will provide affordable, barrier-free housing for area residents with mobility and sensory impairments.
A Chicago construction company, Joseph J. Duffy Company, and the non-profit Full Circle Communities, Inc., of Northbrook as developer, are building a four story, 32-unit building, which features universal design and a full masonry veneer. The architect on the project is Cordogan Clark and Associates.
All units will be accessible for persons with mobility impairments and adaptable for persons with visual or hearing impairments. The property will have income restrictions at 30% and 60% of area median income.
“Joseph J. Duffy Company is pleased to be associated with this project; by helping to develop budgets and provide a firm price, this much-needed housing development will become a reality,” said Joseph Beuttas, vice president of business development.
The approximately $9.7 million project is financed by the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the City of Chicago, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, The National Equity Fund and Bank of America. Upon completion, the building will be Enterprise Green Communities certified. It offers wheel-in showers, accessible cabinets, adjustable-height counters and workspaces, off-street parking spaces, as well as a fully accessible garden with native/adaptive landscaping.
According to Full Circle Communities, there will be on-site maintenance and management, as well as a case manager provided by the Over the Rainbow Association. The case manager will provide community linkage and advocacy for the residents, making sure that they have access to all needed services and that they are getting the full benefits that they may be entitled to.
The demand for the units is expected to be great.
“There are no buildings specifically targeted to persons with disabilities in the market area,” Joshua Wilmoth, vice president of Full Circle Communities stated. “By way of example, Over the Rainbow has 300 people on their waiting lists from the City of Chicago and they only have eight units within the City.
“Our development is located on a major transit route, making it easily accessible for residents and their families, as well as caregivers.”
