Claretian Associaties for We're Steel Here!

When U.S. Steel abandoned its South Works plant, which at one time employed 20,000 people, many feared the South Chicago neighborhood it dominated, long a port of entry and platform for upward mobility, would be fatally wounded. Yet there were others who, acknowledging difficult change, saw the vacant land, the now-underemployed workforce, and the robust, albeit idle, infrastructure as assets on which to build for the future. The result is “We’re Steel Here,” an ambitious plan for the redevelopment of South Chicago as a 21st century community, with diverse and vital industries, residents and activities. Specifically, the plan, sponsored by Claretian Associates, a steady development presence in the community for decades, calls for nine inter-connected projects to create needed housing, recreational space, workforce development programs, and new commercial corridors. Ambitious? Yes, but critical milestones have already been reached. This spring, the Salud Center, with its performance venue, gym and other recreational activity spaces, along with the renovation of 100 units of existing affordable apartments will open within the structure of a long-closed YMCA. Also, on tap for spring is a New Homes for South Chicago program, through which larger single family homes will be transformed into two flats, reflecting the changing needs of the neighborhood. Salud – which means “to your health” – is the apt name for a building anchoring the exciting community-led plan occurring in this far southside Chicago community