Mayor Brandon Johnson recently joined 28th Ward Ald. Jason Ervin, DPD Commissioner Ciere Boatright and the Garfield Park Right to Wellness Collective (GPRWC) to celebrate the ribbon cutting on the Sankofa Village Wellness Center, a brand-new community health and wellness hub at 4305 W. Madison in West Garfield Park.
Sankofa Village Wellness CenterTCB
“Through our investments we are building the local infrastructure needed to ensure every resident, no matter their ZIP code, has access to the resources and services they need to live healthy, prosperous lives,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Here on the West Side, Black Chicagoans continue to experience higher rates of preventable diseases and lower life expectancy rates. That’s why today’s opening is such an important moment for this community, in addition to its medical services, this center will serve as a neighborhood anchor with community spaces, fitness facilities, and a gathering space for young people.”
Sankofa Village Wellness CenterCity of Chicago
Developed by The Community Builders in coordination with West Side service providers, the three-story, 60,000-square-foot project brings a wide range of health, wellness, and community resources together under one roof. The project will provide primary medical, dental, behavioral, reproductive, substance abuse, and HIV prevention care to 6,000 patients annually while addressing the life expectancy disparity on the West Side through health and community services tailored to the unique needs of West Garfield Park and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Sankofa Wellness CenterBureau Gemmell/Moody Nolan/New Office
The facility includes a clinic, fitness center, and office space for nonprofits and minority-owned businesses in addition to housing anchor tenants including the Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative, Rush University Medical Center, West Side United, Equal Hope, and the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.
Sankofa Wellness CenterBureau Gemmell/Moody Nolan/New Office
The project was supported by the city with $5.9 million in proceeds from the sale of city land and $1.5 million in Chicago Recovery Plan funding. The Chicago Development Fund, a non-profit corporation managed by DPD, provided an additional $10 million through New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation. The three city-owned lots were sold for $1 each, representing a $45,600 write-down.
Sankofa Wellness VillageBureau Gemmell/Moody Nolan/New Office
The Wellness Center’s opening marks the completion of the first phase of construction of the Sankofa Wellness Village, a community-led initiative which will contribute to the revitalization of the Madison-Pulaski corridor in West Garfield Park.