Project H.O.O.D. Breaks Ground on New Community Center in Woodlawn
Construction kicked off for the Robert R. McCormick Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center on Monday, September 18, 2023 in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood. Project H.O.O.D. celebrated the occasion with a groundbreaking ceremony led by its founder and New Beginnings Church Senior Pastor Corey Brooks.
The 85,000-square-foot center will be located directly across the street from the church (located at 6620 S. Martin Luther King Dr.) and will feature a trauma counseling center, a WellNow urgent care, a music and arts theater, two gyms, a swimming pool, three new restaurants, a WinTrust bank, and more. It is estimated the $35 million project will take 18 to 24 months to complete.
Project H.O.O.D. still needs to raise $10 million for the center to open debt-free.
Pastor Brooks reflected on his journey leading up to the construction kickoff. He notably spent several months camped out on the rooftop of an abandoned motel to raise money for the center.
“We’re excited to be able to do something that we’ve been praying for,” Pastor Brooks said. “[…] We’re excited that today is the kickoff celebration. But it’s not just the day to celebrate building a building. It’s a day to celebrate the transformation of a community.”
Pastor Brooks noted that plans for the center were 11 years in the making. It is his vision that the site will create momentum within the community, generate more jobs, promote educational opportunities, and allow for a safe space for all residents.
“The goal in building this center is to bring about opportunities to people who sometimes feel like they may not have an opportunity and a chance,” Pastor Brooks said. “Our goal is to reestablish families, to rebuild a neighborhood, to make businesses strong and vibrant. Also, to make sure that we have a peaceful and safe place for young people to go and express themselves.”
Pastor Brooks thanked architect Negin Moayer whose architecture firm, Bettering Neighborhoods Making Opportunities (BNMO) Design, is taking on the project pro bono. He also recognized former State Senator and Oberweis Dairy owner Jim Oberweis.
The Oberweis franchise will open a new location at the center, along with The Burger Joint and Woodgrain Pizzeria.
“[Pastor Brooks] is doing it. He keeps doing one impossible thing after another,” Oberweis said. “We made a financial commitment in addition to providing help in opening those doors. I have great respect for this guy in what you’re doing.”
Following remarks, church members and community residents enjoyed music and dishes from several minority-owned food trucks, including Whadda Jerk, Bill’s Grill, Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat, and Flash Hernandez Tacos.
Project H.O.O.D. is one of 13 Chicago organizations that make up Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P), a coalition of community non-profit organizations focused on gun violence prevention across 27 Chicago neighborhoods.
Those interested in donating to the center can do so here.
