Approval yesterday from the City of Chicago Plan Commission cleared the way to begin the transformation of a vacant off-track betting facility into the first new Southeast Side location of what is arguably one of America’s favorite restaurants, Chick-fil-A.
The new restaurant will rise in Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood.
“The redevelopment plan for this unused parcel is the latest step in the renaissance that we are experiencing in the Pullman and Roseland communities,” said 9th Ward Alderman Anthony A. Beale, in a written statement. “By attracting the kind of development our residents have told us they want, we’re steadily building a vibrant community where more people will want to go to live, work and visit.”
The new 5,196-square-foot Chick-fil-A restaurant is being developed on a six-acre parcel by Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives (CNI), a nonprofit community development organization, and Rev. James Meeks, along with his nonprofit community development organization, Hope Center Foundation. The land was previously acquired by the venture and once housed an off-track betting facility owned by Hawthorne Racecourse.
“Chick-fil-A will be an exciting and welcome addition to our community, one that demonstrates what can be accomplished when businesses, organizations and residents share a real commitment to a strong sustainable future,” said Rev. Meeks, in a statement. “
The transformation of Pullman from its neglected past into today’s growing and revitalized neighborhood is a model for community renewal in our city and throughout our nation,” added Rev. Charlie Dates, Senior Pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, also in a written statement.
Construction of the new Chick-fil-A is expected to start in the spring and be completed in in the fall of 2024. Once completed, the restaurant will create 125 new jobs and feature dine-in, drive-thru and carry-out service. It will join a growing culinary community that already offers Potbelly’s, Culver’s, Lexington Betty’s Smokehouse, and a Veteran Roaster currently in development. In addition to the restaurant’s 125 new jobs, an additional 145 jobs will be created to construct the new building.
The Pullman and Roseland community is the site of many innovations over the past decade, including the first union-built green-roof Walmart; the first Method plant (currently an SC Johnson manufacturing and distribution center) in the U.S.; the first Whole Foods Distribution Center in Illinois; the first Gotham Greens greenhouse outside of New York; the Pullman Community Center, the region’s largest year-round, indoor sports and education facility; and the city’s first and only National Historic National Park. Altogether, more than $500 million has been invested in Pullman since 2014, which has created 2,000 jobs.
“Thanks to the tireless work on behalf of the community by Alderman Anthony Beale, Rev. Meeks, and the talent and support of our community partners, the Hope Center Foundation, City of Chicago, Chick-fil-A, and local businesses and residents, Pullman is an exciting destination that is uplifting the lives of its residents and all of Chicago,” said David Doig, President, CNI, in statement.
