Leopardo and UJAMAA are pleased to announce their role in the construction of Sankofa Wellness Center – ground up new construction of a three-story building at the corner of West Madison Street and South Kildare Avenue in Chicago. Totaling 55,530-SF, Sankofa Village will have spaces dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare and financial wellness as well as other support services such as career coaching and early childhood education.
Anchor tenants and service providers housed within the building will include Rush University Medical Center, Erie Family Health Center, and the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. Standout design features include a state-of-the-art fitness center with locker rooms, a café and credit union, multi-purpose rooms, a gymnasium with running track, private exam and treatment rooms, as well as community gardens for therapeutic healing and a rooftop terrace.
“Leopardo is excited to be a part of this project and continue making a positive difference in the communities in which we work,” said Leopardo Senior Vice President Mike Mastin.
“This project will address the diverse needs of the West Garfield Park community and will have a long lasting impact on local residents of all ages for many years to come,” said UJAMAA Construction President Jimmy Akintonde.
The Sankofa Wellness Village is a community-driven initiative led by residents, faith based and health care institutions, nonprofits and other partners in West Garfield Park. It consists of interconnected capital and social investments along the Madison Pulaski commercial corridor that will create opportunities for West Garfield Park residents of all ages to have access to health, wellness and recreation services, along with finance, entrepreneur support, business development, and access to healthy food and the arts. This walkable “village” will connect the Madison-Pulaski corridor with other new public and private investments – such as Garfield Park Community Plaza and Outdoor Roller Rink, and the New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church Campus. The other three components that make up Sankofa Wellness Village include: The MAAFA Center for Arts and Activism (the MAC), the “K” Entrepreneurship Development Hub and the Community Grocer Initiative.
The project is scheduled to break ground this summer.
The Leopardo/UJAMAA Joint Venture is collaborating closely with The Community Builders, MAAFA Redemption Project, and Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative, as well as Moody Nolan Architects and Third Entity to bring this community vision to life.
