April 1, 2018 / General Ministry
Lutheran Development Group (LDG), along with Rise Community Development, is at it again with their newest project: Chippewa Park. The organization – whose mission is to “strengthen neighborhoods surrounding Lutheran churches through residential, commercial, and educational investments” – has worked on historic renovation projects like East Fox Homes, EAGLE College Prep-Gravois Park, and the Intersect Arts Center. They continue to focus on the revitalization of the Gravois Park/Dutchtown/Benton Park West area and this new project will transform sixteen deteriorating buildings into forty-six affordable apartments and three commercial spaces. Construction recently began in March 2018 and is expected to reach completion by May 2019.
Photo by Lauren Verseman of LDG.
Not only will the renovation provide quality housing, but LDG also anticipates that the three commercial spaces will be used to house their new office and a number of valuable resources/services for the community, as well as a restaurant which will create employment opportunities. Beyond the plan for renovated and re-purposed structures, LDG has gathered neighborhood stakeholders who have agreed to “help nurture community engagement, neighborhood planning, expansion of educational opportunities, job creation, and other initiatives.”
Executive Director, Chris Shearman, says, “When you take the worst buildings and make them the best, it tells the community ‘We care for you!’ and that makes a huge impact. We hope these renovations will improve life in the area. Ideally, we’d love to see a more racially and economically integrated neighborhood where residents plant roots and enjoy spending time in their own community.”
Click HERE to check out the St. Louis Post Dispatch’s article about the Chippewa Park project!