This post authored by John Frueh of Steele Consulting Group. Story credit to Curbed Chicago.
Tuesday (12/4/18), following the recent completion of the renovation, marks the reopening of Bronzeville’s Art Decco “Bee”. This exhaustive $2.32 million project was funded by the Chicago Housing Authority and the building has been repurposed as a library with several new upgrades. The exterior work scope featured a refinishing of the terracotta facade as well as an aesthetic change of the storefronts now matching the original building style.
A library will bring value to any neighborhood as it provides afterschool programs, digital literacy for seniors, reading and development resources for families, as well as job search tools, book clubs, not to mention books! Along with those offerings, The Bee will have teen career mentors, programs that explore art, technology, gaming, music, an early learning play area, a media area, and updated furniture. This renovation, however, goes deeper than the addition of a public resource. Any time we see a building like this among the many beautiful landmarks on Chicago’s South Side, we are filled with joy.
We also love that steps were taken to make sure the renovation was well-executed. The impressive transformation of the storefront’s exterior improves the block’s aesthetic while also demonstrates the dedication of those involved with the project. The building was originally used for apartments and office space. City officials decided to make it a library as part of the Chicago Public Library initiative to modernize its facilities across the city.
Felicia Franks, our Client Administrator, had this to say about the renovation: “Libraries are a crucial part of our community. Without libraries, we forfeit a hub for information and resources. This project is a great example of investing in our communities and the people who live in them.”
Read the full article here.
