Somewhat quietly, yet steadily many of the communities that comprise the 8th Ward-Avalon Park, Calumet Heights, Chatham, South Shore are attracting new businesses. The one that is drawing the most attention is a 134-unit senior housing development in Calumet Heights at Stony Island and 94th St.
The financing was recently secured so that the Montclare Senior Residence will become a reality. The site for the project has long been vacant and my patience to find the right developer for it seems to finally being paying off. The one and two-bedroom units will occupy three of the five acres.
The seven-story structure will have all of the amenities of a high-end senior residence from computer labs to game rooms to cable TV and Internet wiring. This is such a wonderful and timely development because so many of the ward’s residents are elderly, with many being widows and widowers. The upkeep of the houses they purchased in the ward 40, 50 or 60 years ago has become a burden. Some of them expressed to me how they would like to move, yet stay in the 8th ward. Montclare is a positive resolution for both those concerns.
Of course whenever I talk to constituents about the new development, the question arises about the remaining two acres at the site. And as of this post, I am extremely pleased to share that my office is in negotiations to bring two new restaurants to that site., I can tell everyone that one of those restaurants is Huddle House, a 54-year chain of more than 300 restaurants. Its headquarters is in Atlanta.
My office definitely gives a priority to working with the existing business owners in the 8th Ward. I am confident that with residents’ and neighbors continued support we can continue to move the ward in a direction that makes it a plus for every man, woman and child who lives here or visits.
