Obama Center brings hopes for future of 4 properties on Stony Island
By Carol Thompson, Dorothy Tucker for CBS News Chicago
The new Obama Presidential Center and its 19-acre campus is located in Jackson Park, in Woodlawn.
There's a new towering museum, a bright children's playground, acres of green spaces and a brand-new Chicago Public Library branch. ...
The hope in Woodlawn is that the Obama Center will spark more investment in the community as a whole, and along Stony Island in particular. ...
The Island Terrace Apartments
Next to the lot where the hotel may one day be built sits an apartment building in progress. At 6430 S. Stony Island, the 21 story, 240-unit high-rise is currently undergoing an $85 million makeover.
Some residents, like D'Artagnon Sanders, are moving into new units on higher floors with great new views of the Obama Presidential Center.
"It's perfect. I'm excited to move," Sanders said.
Bernardine Gibson is relocating to the 18th floor too.
"I had no idea it was this beautiful. I've been facing a McDonald's forever. For years and years," she said.
Sanders is a college student with a young son and two puppies. He's excited for the change the center will bring to his neighborhood and the access he'll have to the new library.
"I don't have to go as far for anything," he said.
Gibson hopes the Center will spur development and improvements in the area like the ones being made in her building.
"It's just amazing that I can be part of this in my lifetime," she said.
The organization Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) owns and manages the apartments. The renovation project, floor by floor, should be finished by next spring.
"We finished five and we have another three that are turning over this month, and we'll continue to turn over one floor about every month or so until the end of construction," said Molly Ekerdt, vice president of development for POAH.
The renovations are funded through a mix of public and private dollars.
"New kitchens and baths, new flooring, all new systems in the building, new electrical, new plumbing," Ekerdt explained.
Residents will also see modernized elevators, fiber and wi-fi service, new laundry room, new parking lot and new security measures.
Residents who have been relocated during construction are mostly all moving back in as apartments are ready.
"People have many, many stories that have lived here for decades. There's just that sort of sense of love and community. And to be able to help retain that in place and even bring new families into, that is really important and at the heart of our mission," said Ekerdt.