An organization with foresight has declared its intention to develop a financially self-sustaining living community in the Chicago city earlier known for high crime rates and unemployment and which is constantly facing the threat of depleting resources.
The planned Focal Point campus in Southwest Chicago will deliver a combination of retail, wellness, education, arts and recreation services customized to meet the needs of its community members. (PRNewsFoto/Saint Anthony Ministries)
The Focal Point community will include retail, health, entertainment, education and other aspects to fulfil the needs of the occupants. Saint Anthony Ministries put in a request for allotment of the lot at 31st and Kedzie in southwest Chicago measuring about 11 ac for development of a complex of approximately 1 million sq. ft.
Guy A Medaglia, CEO and President of Saint Anthony Ministries and its subsidiary Saint Anthony Hospital, affirmed that the project will be a leading example of development of disadvantaged neighborhoods and points out that the earnings from the profitable segments of the development will support the financial needs of the non-profit segments. The rental earnings from tenants such as retail outlets, schools, day care, parking spaces, hospitality, outpatient clinic and hospital will be redirected to fund programs that will benefit the community such as education, wellness centers, entertainment space and a park.
Medaglia also informed that the development will provide long-term employment opportunities to many in construction, retail services, etc. Residents living near the complex will also benefit from the facilities in the community such as healthy food choices, shopping destinations, wellness programs, basketball courts and a big swimming pool.
In addition, Saint Anthony Hospital will be another tenant of the campus who will serve the people even if they have limited means to pay for the services.
Source: http://www.FocalPointChicago.org