ABLA
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ABLA is a public housing development made up of different public housing projects in Chicago, Illinois, operated by the Chicago Housing Authority. The name “ABLA” is an acronym for four different housing developments that together constitute one large site. Those four developments are: the Jane Addams Homes, Grace Abbott Homes, Robert Brooks Homes, Robert Brooks Extension, and Loomis Courts. It spans from Cabrini Street on the north to 14th Street on the south; and from Loomis on the east to Racine on the west.
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[edit] Homes in ABLA
[edit] Jane Addams Homes
The Jane Addams Homes (One of the first housing projects) are made up of 32 4- 3, and 2-story buildings, and were built in 1938 by Franklin D. Roosevelt's WPA Program. They were originally built to last 60 years. [citation needed] They are famous for their animal sculptures in the court area. The majority of the buildings have been demolished, though in 2005 9 buildings were still standing, with six of those buildings still occupied. Part of the site is currently being redeveloped as part of the Roosevelt Square mixed-income community.
[edit] Robert Brooks Homes
Built in 1943, the original 800 rowhouse units were recently reconstructed (completed in two phases between 1997 and 2000) The $45 million CHA-funded rennovation reduced unit density per acre and increased unit sites, resulting in 330 units of public housing.
[edit] Grace Abbott Homes
Originally made up of 7 15-story buildings and 33 2-story rowhouse buildings, the Grace Abbott Homes were built in 1955. Although in 2005, 4 of the high-rise buildings have been demolished, 2 more have been closed and have are in the process of demolition, one high-rise and all rowhouse buildings are still occupied. This property is planned to be redeveloped in Phases 3-6 of the new Roosevelt Square mixed-income community.
[edit] Robert Brooks Extension
Built in 1961, this complex was made up of 3 16-story buildings. One building at 1239 S. Racine was demolished in 1998. The remaining 2 buildings were demolished in 2001. In 2005, Phase 1 of a new mixed-income development called Roosevelt Square was under construction on this site.
[edit] Loomis Courts
Built in 1951, this 126-unit complex consists of 2 buildings of 7 stories each. It was built with City-State funds, not federal public housing funds. In 2005, the CHA started a 2-phase rehabilitation of the property that will result in all units being preserved as affordable rental housing. Rents will continue to be based on 30% of household income.
The ABLA Development is a public housing project, operated by the Chicago Housing Authority, located in Chicago, Illinois.
[edit] Existing Conditions
ABLA is currently home to about 2,100 residents. This residential complex straddles Chicago’s near southwest side, which has experienced a redevelopment boom, fueled by the resurgent Little Italy neighborhood and the University of Illinois at Chicago campus.
[edit] Plan for Transformation: Mixed-Income Redevelopment
The CHA’s redevelopment plan for ABLA comprises 1,467 public housing units, which include 329 units completed in 2000 as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation of the Brooks Homes, and 383 off-site CHA replacement units. The breakdown of these units is reflected in the chart below. Construction on the remaining 775 on-site mixed-income units at Roosevelt Square began in 2004. ABLA’s new physical design will include a mix of traditional Chicago-style buildings, ranging from single family homes to six-flat buildings. No structure will rise higher than four stories. The Park District in June 2005 opened Fosco Park, a 57,000 square foot community center, which includes an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium and a new daycare facility. A new Jewel/Osco supermarket opened near ABLA in January 2002. The redevelopment master plan also includes an integrated campus green space with Smyth School and Duncan YMCA. The City built a new fire and police station near ABLA. The CHA Board of Commissioners approved the selection LR Developmentof in December 2002 as the Master Developer to implement ABLA’s revitalization Plan. Roosevelt Square is the name of the new redevelopment.
