In late August, IFF’s in-house development group, Home First, celebrated the completion of their 10th distinct project – Access South Cook – an accessible, affordable housing development in the Village of Park Forest. Home First marked this milestone with an on-site ribbon cutting ceremony, featuring remarks from vital community partners such as Mayor Joseph A. Woods (Village of Park Forest), Congresswoman Robin Kelly (US House of Representatives, Illinois 2nd Congressional District), Kristin Faust (Illinois Housing Development Authority Executive Director), Todd Krumwiede (PNC Bank Senior Vice President – Regional Manager of Originations), Dena Bell (Home First Executive Director), and Kirby Burkholder (IFF CEO). Attendees of the ceremony were offered the opportunity to tour one of the housing units and experience the shared facilities of this newly constructed residential community.
“This development demonstrates what can happen when we take underutilized property and reimagine what it can become. Residents, you are not simply moving into a new apartment development, you are becoming a part of the heart of our community.” – Mayor Joseph A. Woods, Village of Park Forest
Access South Cook features 44 rental units (24 one-bedroom units and 20 two-bedroom units), a shared green space, and a community building located on the Park Forest village campus near retail businesses, government offices, banks, a prairie garden, restaurants, and a farmers’ market. Each unit of housing features central air-conditioning, in-unit laundry, high-quality cabinetry and flooring, energy efficient appliances and lighting, and all first-floor apartments are fully accessible. Additionally, the site features landscaping that complements the natural prairie grass across the street at Village Hall and includes state-of-the-art storm water features for the first time in Park Forest. A time lapse of the construction can be viewed here.
“This development demonstrates what can happen when we take underutilized property and reimagine what it can become,” said Mayor Woods in remarks during the ribbon cutting ceremony. “Residents, you are not simply moving into a new apartment development, you are becoming a part of the heart of our community.”
The project architect for Access South Cook is WJW Architects, and the general contractor is Blackwood Group/Crane Construction. Financing partners for the $23 million development include the Illinois Housing Development Authority and the Illinois Department of Human Services, ComEd, First Merchants Bank, PNC Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, and IFF equity.
Since 2011, Home First, has been tasked with establishing new models of housing for people with disabilities. This has included revitalizing vacant or underutilized properties that create new models of community integrated, affordable, and accessible housing. Over the past 15 years, Home First has developed more than 320 units of accessible, affordable housing across the state of Illinois.
Scroll down to see photos from the ribbon cutting ceremony, and click here to learn more about the project.