02/26/2021 - In this Issue: City DWM: Water Testing, Replacing Lead Service Lines - Green Financing Program - More Coming to The Fields - Survey Seeks Input on Iconic Area Buildings - Gates Notes on Climate - BlackHawks/United Grant
Feedback and Input Requested for the
North Avenue Corridor Catalyst Development

The INVEST South West survey is to involve community for input and ideas for developing two 'Opportunity' sites selected by ISW's North Avenue Corridor Catalyst Development: the former Pioneer Bank at
4000 W, North Avenue, and the Pioneer Arcade/Pioneer Bowl at 1535 N. Pulaski Road. The survey was developed by the ISW North Avenue Corridor Catalyst Development Committee, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center and supported
by key community factions.
Click here to take the survey in English or Spanish.
Click here for a .pdf to learn what's already under consideration
Click here to learn about INVEST South West
former Pioneer Bank- 4000 W. North Avenue.
Pioneer Arcade & Bowl - 1535 N. Pulaski Road
Click to read an article with historica/architectural material and photos re the sites pictured above. "Awaiting a New Tenant: Pioneer Arcade at North and Pulaski"
John Morris, Chicago Patterns, August 2014
Developments Ahead
 at The Fields

Kickpoint Ventures, the developer behind The Fields project at 4000 W. Diversey, recently won approval from the Chicago Plan Commission to redevelop part of its campus. The New York-based developer's plans call for adding a 50-foot-tall building, two roof decks, and several sound stages for a film production studio. Photo credit Chicago Department of Planning &
Click to read more about plans for The Fields Campus
"Plan To Redevelop Part Of The Fields Campus Gets
OK From Key City Panel Despite CommunityOpposition"
Financing Program for Green Improvements,
Including Replacing Aging Lead Pipes

A low-cost financing program launched by the City of Chicago in 2019 is about to expand C-PACE - Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy - that allows owners and developers to access long-term financing from private capital that pays for green systems, creating long-term savings on energy and water costs. Counterpointe Energy Solutions in a joint venture with Loop Capital, Managing is administering the City's C-PACE program on behalf of the Chicago Department of Planning & Development.

Eligible property owners can borrow up to 25% of their property's appraised value and loan repayment appear as a line item on the property tax bill, stretched out over the improvements' useful life. Eligible properties include commercial, industrial, retail, multifamily and mixed-use properties and developments. C-PACE can be used to add energy-efficient lighting, water conservation projects, renewable energy sources, electric charging stations, and to replace aging lead pipe service.

Click here to learn more about C-PACE
Click to Read "Financing Green Property Improvements In Chicago Is About To Get Easier" - Brian Rogal; BISNOW, 2/3/2021
Programs from the City's
Department of Water Management

The City's Department of Water Management has started Phase 1 of the Lead Service Line Replacement program. There are two programs for eligible homeowners who want to replace their service lines.

Homeowner-Initiated: The City will waive up to $3,100 in permit fees for any resident homeowner who wants to replace their lead service line. The waiver is not available if the request is made in conjunction with a structural renovation.

Equity Program: Residents with a household income below 80% of the area's median income may qualify for a free lead service line replacement. To qualify, water must persistently test over the Environmental Protection Agency's Action Level of 15 parts per billion of lead. The program is limited to single-family or two-flat homes that are owner-occupied.  Click here for more info' on lead service line replacement
Free Water Testing Kits - Department of Water Management offers Chicago residents free kits to test their water. Click here to fill out a form, or call 311
Grant submission deadline February 28th
Chicago Blackhawks, United Airlines Launch Support West
 
The Chicago Blackhawks Foundation and United Airlines recently launched a Small Business Recovery Program called Support West. The program provides $5,000 grants to minority businesses located on the West Side. The application window will close on February 28th, and applicants will be selected and notified by March 15th,
To learn more and apply, please click here.
Michael Goldstein - (773)504-1200

CURRENTLY FOR LEASE
Hard-to-find, inexpensive space in Chicagoland.
500' to 160,000 sf - Short & Long Term Leases
Click on addresses for details & interior photos. For pdf of currently
available space in all properties, click here or call (773)504-1200
Congress and the new administration can
help put the world on a path to zero emissions.

Click to read "Four Ways the U.S. Can Reassert Leadership on Climate Change"
By Bill Gates, January 22, 2021
Second Round of the PPP
Better Deal for Mom & Pop's, Small Businesses

Changes to the Second Round of the PPP program boosted the number of successful applicants by 60% for companies with fewer than ten employees, The uptick clearly demonstrates the program's commitment to giving relief to smaller, Mom & Pop businesses, establishing racial and gender equity, and reaching out to low/moderate-income, and other underserved areas.

The Revamped PPP Program....
  • Establishes a 14-day, exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees
  • Allows sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals to receive more financial support by revising the PPP’s funding formula for these categories of applicants
  • Eliminates an exclusionary restriction on PPP access for small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions, consistent with a bipartisan congressional proposal
  • Eliminates PPP access restrictions on small business owners who have struggled to make federal student loan payments by eliminating federal student loan debt delinquency and default as disqualifiers
  • Ensures access for non-citizen small business owners who are lawful U.S. residents by clarifying that they may use Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply for the PPP.
Borrowers can apply for the Paycheck Protection
Program by downloading the First Draw PPP or Second Draw PPP loan applications and using the SBA Lender Match tool to find a participating lenders
Opportunities for Businesses and Vendors

Bid Opportunity - Rental of Items for City Festivals, Events
Solicitation Number: 7813 - Specification Number: 457240
Bid Deadline: Wednesday, March 10, 11am
Bid Opportunity - Target Market Maintenance Services for City Festivals
Solicitation Number: 7847 - Specification Number: 604926A
Bid Deadline: Wednesday, March 17, 11am
For details visit cityofchicago.org/eProcurement
TIF Districts Opening for Application March 1st, 2021

The Small Business Improvement Fund program helps Chicago small businesses by using local Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to reimburse businesses and property owners make pre-approved repairs and upgrades to their buildings. The program
is administered by Somercor.

TIF Districts opening for application March 1st, click on district name for map

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