INVEST South/West is an unprecedented community improvement initiative under Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot to marshal the resources of multiple City departments, community organizations, and corporate and philanthropic partners toward 10 communities on Chicago's South and West Sides. One of these targeted neighborhoods is the Back of the Yards neighborhood. 

INVEST South/West’s goal is to re-activate neighborhood cores that have historically served as focal points for pedestrian activity, shopping, services, transportation, public spaces and quality-of life amenities for local residents. In New City, the priority focus is the intersection of 47th Street and Ashland Avenue and adjacent blocks.

One of the teams that has submitted a proposal to the City is the United Yards Team, which is comprised of Celedon Holdings, an affordable housing developer, Blackwood Group LLC, and Latino owned and led General Contractor and Development company from Chicago, and Designbridge, also a Latino owned Architectural firm from Chicago.

Our vision provides an immediate corridor activation, that might otherwise take decades to develop.  We will restore an iconic landmark gateway that will be a source of community identity and pride, but, our vision, most importantly, serves as the expanding Ashland Ave linchpin that ties together the social fabric between East and West back of the yards