UNITED YARDS: BRINGING EXPANSION TO BACK OF THE YARDS

United Yards Ribbon Cutting

The Back of the Yards neighborhood on Chicago’s Southwest Side has long reflected the city’s rich immigrant history. Beginning in the late 1800s, Irish and German immigrants settled in the area, drawn by the promise of work in the booming Union Stockyards. By the early 20th century, they were joined by new waves of Czechoslovakian, Lithuanian, and Polish laborers, all contributing to the neighborhood’s cultural and economic vitality.

In the decades that followed, particularly after the closure of the stockyards in 1971, the community experienced a profound transformation. The loss of its primary economic engine ushered in a period of disinvestment and decline. During this time, Mexican and African American families became the predominant residents, shaping the identity and resilience of the neighborhood through challenging years.

Despite these hardships, Back of the Yards has shown enduring strength. Today, it is experiencing a renewed sense of purpose and growth. As part of the New City community area, the neighborhood has been revitalized through targeted investment, including its designation as one of 10 priority areas under the INVEST South/West commercial corridor improvement initiative launched during former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration.

Once defined by the hum of the stockyards, Back of the Yards is now emerging as a vibrant and developing community, with new projects, businesses, and public interest helping to shape its next chapter.
Part of that revitalization is due to the United Yards, a $65 million collaboration between CCLF borrower Celadon Partners and Latino-owned Blackwood Group. Celadon Partners borrowed $2,460,000 from CCLF for predevelopment of this major project that held its official ribbon cutting earlier this year in May.

Celadon Partners – Scott Henry and Aron Weisner

Traversing three city blocks and consisting of various properties, this megadevelopment includes: a 51 unit affordable housing development with commercial retail space on the ground floor; a 30 unit senior rental apartment building with a coffee shop on the ground floor; a pair of affordable 3-flat buildings; and a preexisting supportive living center that includes a medical center, a dialysis center, and a park. This development will create or preserve 44 permanent jobs and 330 construction jobs.

Once a Goldblatt Department Store building, the property located at 1613 – 1621 W. 47th Street will include several stores, including Back of the Yards Coffee; Araceli’s Bakery; Chop Shop, a grooming salon, Friend Health (a full-service health center with a pharmacy and dental services), and La Selva Shop, a retail clothing shop.

Twentieth Ward Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor led the official ribbon cutting ceremony and recalled that this project started more than four years ago. Other ceremony attendees included Jesse Iñiguez of Back of the Yards Works; Deputy Mayor, Kenya Merritt; Department of Housing Commissioner, Lissette Castañeda; Department of Planning Commissioner, Ciere Boatright; and Friend Health CEO, Wendy Thompson.