United Yards was initially envisioned as a creation of the INVEST South/West initiative, led by the City of Chicago to bring significant investment and other resources from multiple City departments, community organizations, and corporate and philanthropic partners on Chicago's South and West Sides. The project was led by the community with ongoing engagement and information gathering over five years. One of these targeted neighborhoods is the Back of the Yards.

With continued support of the Johnson Administration and 20th Ward Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor, the United Yards development continues to bring investment and new development into the Back of the Yards community. United Yards has combined with the Back of the Yards Works small business collaborative for a multi-phase, transformational project surrounding the 47th and Ashland intersection.

The United Yards Team is comprised of Celadon Partners, a Chicago-based, experienced affordable housing developer, The Blackwood Group, a Latino-owned and -led general contractor and developer from Chicago, and Back of the Yards Works, a local minority-owned business consortium and developer leading the commercial development of the property. DesignBridge, a Latino-owned architecture firm from Chicago, is leading the design team.

The United Yards team has been enhanced by the addition of Back of the Yards Works, a Back of the Yards-based cooperative of small businesses. Back of the Yards Works was also proposed for the INVEST South/West RFP and has become an invaluable element of the redevelopment team. Back of the Yards Works brings hyperlocal flavor and expertise and is leading the development of the commercial/retail components of United Yards featuring locally-owned Latinx and woman owned small businesses, including Back of the Yards Coffee, La Selva, and many more!

We envision an immediate corridor activation, that might otherwise take decades to develop and revitalize this once-thriving corridor.  United Yards plans to restore an iconic landmark gateway that will be a source of community identity and pride. Most importantly we plan to expand the Ashland Avenue linchpin that binds together the social fabric of the North, South, East and West sides of Back of the Yards with local leadership and residents managing community space, owning the small businesses, and living in the new homes.

The first phase of United Yards will be developed in three components:

United Yards IA is a residential development comprised of 51 affordable rental homes in a midrise building at Justine and 47th and two three-flat buildings at Marshfield and 47th. The project is 100% affordable and please find a summary of unit types and proposed rents here. The Justine Building will feature a 5,000 square foot Opportunity Hub that will bring youth workforce development and entrepreneurship support programming to the community. The development will have units available beginning in January 2025 will be completed and open to new residents in Fall 2025.

United Yards IB is a retail and commercial development featuring 25,000 square feet of commercial and programming space. The project will be centered in the ground floor space of the historic Goldblatts building at 47th and Ashland. The project will feature four locally-owned small businesses as a part of Back of the Yards Works, including Back of the Yards Coffee, Aracely’s Bakery, the Chop Shop Barbershop, and La Selva Apparel. The development will also feature Friend Health, a federally-qualified health center (FQHC). The development is underway and the first businesses will open in Summer 2024.

United Yards IC is a mixed development based within the “Rainbow Building” at 47th and Ashland. The historic renovation of the historic building and other nearby buildings will allow over 50 units of supportive housing as well as over 30,000 square feet of programming, treatment, and community gathering space. This development is intended to begin in Fall 2025.

Thank you to the wonderful people of the Back of the Yards community, who have showed up for over five years to support the creation of this project and give input throughout to improve the plans. Community meetings will continue to be hosted in the Back of the Yards community in coordination with the 20th Ward office and the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development. Throughout the process our design and development team has incorporated the input of the community into the programming, design, affordability, and tenancy of the properties. We value the input of these stakeholders as it has allowed the project’s planned appearance and operations to truly reflect the needs and desires of the Back of the Yards community.

United Yards is under construction on Phase IB as of Fall 2023 and Phase IA is expected to commence construction in July 2024. The following are the key dates for the year to come:

• June 2024: Open House for Fiesta Back of the Yards
• July 2024: Construction commences on housing developments
• Summer 2024: Back of the Yards Works opens for business
• Fall 2024: Friend Health opens for business
• Fall 2024: United Yards prospective tenant application day
• January 2025: First affordable housing units ready for families to move it

Please check back soon for more details on upcoming meetings for an opportunity to discuss the project, learn more about the plans and schedule, and provide input to members of the team. In the meantime, we encourage you to ask questions and/or offer comments to the team in advance by clicking the link here. All submissions will be reviewed by the United Yards team and will be responded to quickly.

SEND A QUESTION OR A COMMENT TO THE TEAM