Chicago & Midwest + South Side + Retail | May 1, 2023

New Library Branches Will Anchor MXUs on South, West Sides

Chicago Public Library said Monday that two new libraries will be part of mixed-use developments planned for the Back of the Yards and Humboldt Park communities on Chicago’s South and West Sides, respectively. Part of the city’s INVEST South/West initiative, each of the new libraries will anchor MXUs that also include residential and commercial spaces.

“The inclusion and creative reimagining of library resources as community hubs within the buildings elevates these two simple mixed-use, residential projects to the status of new civic icon,” said Commissioner Maurice Cox of Chicago Department of Planning and Development.

Each new library facility will offer a built-out early childhood active learning space, and programs and spaces for area children, teens and families. Free one-on-one homework assistance will be provided for school-aged children. Teens will have access to technology, resources, and classes that inspire exploration, creativity, and learning through the YOUmedia program.

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About Paul Bubny

Paul Bubny serves as Senior Content Director for Connect Commercial Real Estate, a role to which he brings 13-plus years’ experience covering the commercial real estate industry and 30-plus years in business-to-business journalism. In this capacity, he oversees daily operations while also reporting on both local/regional markets and national trends, covering individual transactions across all property types, as well as delving into broader subject matter. He produces 15-20 daily news stories per day and works with the Connect team and clients to develop longer-form content, ranging from Q&As to thought-leadership pieces. Prior to joining Connect, Paul was Managing Editor for both Real Estate Forum and GlobeSt.com at American Lawyer Media, where he oversaw operations at both publications while also producing daily news and feature-length articles. His tenure in B2B publishing stretches back into the print era, and he has served as Editor in Chief on four national trade publications. Since 1999, Paul has volunteered as the newsletter editor of passenger rail advocacy groups (one national, one local).

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