CHICAGO, IL — Leopardo Construction and UJAMAA joined city officials, community leaders, and future anchor tenants at a groundbreaking ceremony for Sankofa Wellness Center — a ground up new construction of a three-story building at the corner of West Madison Street and South Kildare Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. More than 300 people attended the ceremony including Mayor Brandon Johnson, Senate President Don Harmon, state Senator Lakesia Collins, and Alderman Jason Ervin (28th Ward).
The Sankofa Wellness Village is a community-driven initiative led by residents, faith-based and health care institutions, nonprofits, and other partners in West Garfield Park. It consists of interconnected capital and social investments along the Madison Pulaski commercial corridor that will create opportunities for West Garfield Park residents of all ages to have access to health, wellness, and recreation services, along with finance, entrepreneur support, business development, and access to healthy food and the arts. Anchor tenants and service providers housed within the building will include Rush University Medical Center, Erie Family Health Center, and the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.
“Thanks to the unwavering dedication of our community leaders, [this project] marks a pivotal step towards building a brighter future,” said Jimmy Akintonde, President of UJAMAA Construction. “Being part of this transformative journey in West Garfield Park fills us with pride as we continue to shape strong, sustainable communities for tomorrow.”
The project totaling 55,530 square feet was selected for the 2022 Pritzker Traubert Chicago Prize, a $10 million grant awarded to a community that embodies catalytic change. Standout design features include a fitness center with locker rooms, a café and credit union, multi-purpose rooms, a gymnasium with running track, private exam and treatment rooms, as well as community gardens for therapeutic healing and a rooftop terrace.
Residents of West Garfield Park have shown excitement about the benefits that this building will provide to the local community and are looking forward to seeing members of the community included in the construction of the building. The Leopardo/UJAMAA team is committed to hiring a diverse, community-focused workforce and participation from both minority- and women-owned subcontractors and vendors.
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“A lot of dedicated community leaders worked tirelessly behind the scenes for years to get to today,” said Mike Mastin, Leopardo Senior Vice President. “Leopardo is proud to be a part of this exciting development in West Garfield Park and looking forward to welcoming tenants to their new spaces next year.”
The Leopardo/UJAMAA joint venture is collaborating closely with The Community Builders, MAAFA Redemption Project, and Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative, as well as Moody Nolan Architects and Third Entity to complete the project by the end of 2025.
