Chicago Construction News staff writer
Sunshine Gospel Ministries’ planned Washington Park community center will replace 4.1 acres of city land that City Council has approved for sale and redevelopment.
Council last week approved the sale of 4.1 acres of vacant city-owned land to Sunshine Gospel Ministries for the development of a new community center in Washington Park.
The nonprofit plans to build a $36.9 million, 77,050-square-foot facility at 6016 S. King Drive. The site spans 16 lots bounded by 60th and 61st Streets, King Drive and Calumet Avenue. Each parcel will be sold for $1.
A three-story Sunshine Community Center will include a gymnasium, café, youth programming rooms, offices, and outdoor athletic facilities. The center will also feature spaces for visual and graphic arts, a roller skating rink, tech rooms, a demonstration kitchen, lounges, and a recording studio. Programs and services will be free for the public, with fees only for event space rentals and fitness center access.
In January, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the city would provide a $5 million Community Development Grant to support the project. That funding tied for the highest grant amount awarded among 14 recipients. Additional funding includes a $13.5 million state grant secured with help from Ald. Lamont Robinson (4th), who supported the project while serving as a state representative.
Executive Director Kimberly Salley said the nonprofit has identified about 70% of the remaining $8 million needed to fully fund the project and is continuing to seek private donations.
City Council approved a zoning change for the site in September. Sunshine expects to close on the land purchase by September 2025.
