Chicago Park District plans new headquarters, sports complex in Brighton Park

On Friday, the Chicago Park District announced plans to relocate its downtown headquarters to a new facility in Brighton Park. The proposed Southwest Side complex would replace a long-vacant, overgrown lot at 4800 S. Western Avenue, just north of the Western Orange Line station.

The 17-acre facility will not only include a new building for administrative offices, but three public sports fields, a playground, pool, parking lot, and a field house. The plan will also bring 200 existing Park District jobs to the area.

“The development of the Brighton Park site for the Chicago Park District headquarters is a win-win situation for the District and the community,” said Park District superintendent Michael P. Kelly in a statement. “In addition to the efficiencies of owning our headquarters, we are bringing much needed parkland and amenities to the children and families of this community.”

The move will see the Park District vacate its current offices at 541 N. Fairbanks Court. The organization sold its Streeterville space to Northwestern Memorial for $22.5 million in 2015. The Park District is currently renting space from the hospital after its rent-free lease expired in April.

Prior to breaking ground on its new HQ, the Park District’s board of commissioners will need to approve a $8.65 million land purchase agreement. The group will then issue a formal request for proposals for firms to design and build the upcoming Brighton Park facility.

The Park District did, however, release a conceptual interior rendering of the proposed complex, created by JGMA. The Chicago-based architecture firm is particularly active in Brighton Park with projects such as the Esperanza Health Center and the nonprofit Gads Hill Center for early childhood education.

Chicago Park District

• Park District Headquarters’ Move To Brighton Park Means New Fields, A Spray Pool And More [Block Club Chicago]
• Park District headquarters, 200 workers moving to Brighton Park [Chicago Sun-Times]
• Previous Chicago parks coverage [Curbed Chicago]