New 22k SF Community Center Receives $5M Funding Approval in Little Village

• The City of Chicago has approved $5 million in partial funding for the Floreciendo: La Villita Erie House Community Center.
• The five-story, 22,000-square-foot community center is planned for 2653 S. Kildare Avenue in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood.
• Developed by Erie House and designed by Canopy Architecture + Design, the project is expected to serve approximately 8,000 residents annually.

What the Community Center Will Bring to Little Village

A major community development project is moving one step closer to reality after the City of Chicago approved $5 million in development funding for the Floreciendo: La Villita Erie House Community Center. Planned for 2653 S. Kildare Avenue, at the corner of West 27th Street, the five-story facility will replace a vacant lot with a new neighborhood resource center designed to provide education, wellness, and family support services. Led by Erie House, the project aims to serve approximately 8,000 individuals each year, addressing the needs of a community where a significant percentage of children live below the poverty line.

What the Facility Will Include

Designed by Canopy Architecture + Design, the 22,000-square-foot building will feature a variety of spaces dedicated to education, health, and community programming. The ground floor will include 10 parking spaces, a lobby, kitchen, patio, and a flexible multi-purpose room for events and neighborhood gatherings. Upper floors will house community meeting rooms, a library, administrative offices, a youth center, a media lab, a mental health clinic, and a counseling clinic. The building will also feature a half-court gymnasium and a large rooftop outdoor patio designed to support recreational and wellness activities. The exterior will combine white metal panels with colorful architectural accents, while warm interior finishes are intended to create a welcoming, home-like environment.

What the Funding Means for the Project

The recently approved $5 million development grant represents an important milestone for the project, but additional financing is still needed before construction can begin. The total project budget is estimated at $21.5 million, which includes both construction costs and long-term operational funding. Project partners will continue securing the remaining financial support before establishing a construction schedule.

What This Means for Little Village

The Floreciendo Community Center is expected to become an important neighborhood resource by bringing education, health services, youth programming, and community spaces together under one roof. Once completed, the facility will expand access to essential services while creating a permanent gathering place for families throughout Little Village, reinforcing ongoing investment in one of Chicago's most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods.