https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/08/07/south-side-sanctuary-community-plaza-opens-in-bronzeville/
BRONZEVILLE—A long-vacant lot on King Drive is now a community oasis thanks to a local restauranteur and her team.
The South Side Sanctuary, 4702 S. King Drive, opened for business Tuesday. The sprawling, 13,000-square-foot greenspace is meant for neighbors and visitors to take a break and appreciate the beauty around them. It will also serve as a hub for wellness, art, and entrepreneurship.
The sanctuary is the brainchild of Bronzeville Winery’s Cecilia Cuff and OASES CEO Jasmine Michaels, the communications director for Cuff’s company, The Nascent Group.
Mayor Brandon Johnson applauded Cuff and Michaels for getting the outdoor plaza off the ground.
“We’ve seen the power of these spaces to unite and uplift communities in 10 other plazas across the South and West sides of the city. By bringing neighbors together in this space, we will spur foot traffic for local businesses, support our young people, and create safer communities,” Johnson said.
The city took over the vacant lot in 1998 with plans for redevelopment, but it remained empty for decades. Other proposals fell through due to a lack of financing and coordination, said Ciere Boatright, commissioner of the city’s Department of Planning and Development.
“The investments represent a true public and private partnership led by the community and for the community,” Boatright said.
South Side Sanctuary is a project from The Nascent Group’s nonprofit arm, I Am Your Village. It is the 11th Public Outdoor Plaza to open in the city following the grand opening of the Overton Exchange last week.
The program, which was launched as a pilot in 2020, mandates that publicly or privately owned outdoor spaces be erected in moderate—or low-income areas, with the city defraying most of the construction, design, and maintenance costs.
