Association for Individual Development looking to build 20 supportive housing units in Aurora
The new 20 units of supportive housing would be located in the old school building at the corner of Jackson Street and Second Avenue on Aurora's East Side. That building, which would be renovated into apartments and expanded as a part of this project, is currently owned by the nearby Iglesia Evangelica Luterana San Pablo, which is a partner with AID in this project.
AID would also be partnering on the development with The Neighbor Project and Hesed House, two Aurora-based organizations focused on housing, but this project would be 'slightly different than straight-up affordable housing,' according to AID President and CEO Lore Baker.
She told the Aurora City Council's Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee on Feb. 12 that these units would be for people who are both low-income, specifically those who make 30% or less of the area's median income, and need ongoing services and support.
As for who may need ongoing support, Baker said that may include people with any kind of disability, those who have multiple chronic conditions that make it difficult to hold down long-term employment and people previously or actively experiencing homelessness, as well as veterans.
On Tuesday, the project went before the City Council Committee of the Whole, which sets the council's agenda for the following week. That committee placed the three items related to AID's proposed project on the Feb. 25 City Council meeting's consent agenda, which is typically used for routine or non-controversial items that are all approved with one vote and without discussion instead of needing to vote on and talk about each individual item.
At Tuesday's meeting, Baker said AID would look to break ground in the spring if the project is approved at the City Council meeting. After groundbreaking, the construction would likely take a year, she said.
The old school building's classrooms would be converted into 10 apartments, while an addition to the building would bring an extra 10 units, according to Liezel Pimentel of WJW Architects. The school building's gym would be converted into a lounge and community space for residents as well as a half basketball court, she said at the Feb. 12 Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee meeting.
The addition would have brick and stay at a height of only two stories to keep with the existing buildings on site, Pimentel said.
According to her presentation, 14 of the units are set to be one-bedroom while the other six would be two-bedroom units. Each of the units are set to include full kitchens, full bathrooms and 'ample' storage, a staff report about the project included with the Feb. 12 meeting's agenda said.
The project is also expected to hold on-site offices, both for property management and supportive services staff, according to the staff report. A bowling alley in the school building's basement that is currently open to the public would stay.
In addition to restoring the historic school building to save it from 'continuing to fall into disrepair and possible demolition while adding additional housing to the neighborhood on an underutilized parking lot,' the project would also add landscaping to the property, including along Second Avenue, the staff report said.
A landscaped courtyard area with outdoor seating would be created on the property, which would also serve as a shared path for the apartment building and existing buildings on site, according to Pimentel.
The project would dedicate 20 parking spaces to the apartments, but that parking lot would be shared with the church, and there are more than enough spaces for both the church and the development, city staff said at the Feb. 12 committee meeting.
One of the three items set to come before the Aurora City Council at the Feb. 25 meeting would subdivide the property into three — one for the church and its related buildings, one for the supportive housing project and one for an existing two-unit residential house. Another item set to come before City Council would rezone the three properties to match their proposed or current uses, and the last item would approve the supportive housing project's plan.
rsmith@chicagotribune.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Wire
15 minutes ago
- Business Wire
KKR Forms A$500 Million Strategic Partnership with CleanPeak Energy to Launch New Distributed Energy Platform
SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global investment firm KKR today announced the signing of definitive agreements under which funds managed by KKR will commit A$500 million to strategically partner with CleanPeak Energy ('CleanPeak') to rapidly grow its distributed energy platform. KKR's investment will support CleanPeak in growing and developing a pipeline of distributed solar, battery storage and micro‑grid solutions for Australia's commercial and industrial ('C&I') sector. Co-founded by Philip Graham and Jon Hare in 2017, CleanPeak is a leading provider of fully financed, integrated solar‑and‑storage systems for blue‑chip corporates across Australia. The company operates over 50 distributed generation sites across Australia including over 140MW of Solar Assets and 35MWH of Battery Energy Storage System ('BESS') projects, and is currently delivering over $200m of construction projects in the sector. 'Australia's C&I energy market is at an inflection point as corporates seek bankable pathways to better energy efficiency, reliability and affordability,' said Neil Arora, Partner and Head of KKR's Climate Transition strategy for Asia. 'By combining CleanPeak's proven operating platform with KKR's global network, operational expertise, and deep experience across our energy and infrastructure teams, we are well positioned to unlock significant opportunities for corporate customers looking to decarbonise and reduce their energy bills.' CleanPeak Chief Executive Philip Graham welcomed the strategic partnership, 'KKR is a perfect strategic partner for us as we seek to rapidly expand renewable energy solutions for our customers. They bring deep energy transition expertise, financial strength and a partnership mindset that will allow CleanPeak to continue to offer net zero solutions at the same time as accelerating our growth plans through bolt‑on acquisitions. Together, we will deliver reliable, lower‑carbon energy for corporate Australia.' 'CleanPeak's distributed energy approach reduces network costs which make up a significant portion of the all-in cost of retail electricity and results in more competitive power prices for our customers,' said Jon Hare, CleanPeak's Chief Operating Officer. KKR is making this investment from its Global Climate Transition strategy. This investment marks the strategy's first in Asia-Pacific and its sixth transaction globally, underscoring KKR's conviction in the energy‑transition opportunity set. Since 2010, KKR has committed more than US$34 billion in climate and environmental sustainability investments. Past investments have included Zenobē, a UK-based transport electrification and battery storage solutions specialist; EGC, an energy service provider in Germany; Dawsongroup, an independent asset leasing business which provides a diverse range of business-critical solutions; Avantus, a solar and solar-plus-storage developer in the US; and IGNIS P2X, an industrial decarbonisation platform. The transaction is expected to close in H2 2025, subject to customary regulatory approvals. About KKR KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR's insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR's investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR's website at For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group's website at About CleanPeak CleanPeak is a specialist renewable energy company in Australia empowering large industrial & commercial businesses to reduce their carbon emissions & transition to net zero. CleanPeak specialises in designing, building, owning and operating renewable energy assets, and associated infrastructure. By integrating state-of-the-art solar, battery and thermal energy assets, CleanPeak delivers energy solutions that are affordable, reliable and sustainable. CleanPeak's operating portfolio consists of over 40 MW of rooftop solar, 100 MW of utility solar projects and 35 MWh of battery projects, as well as microgrids providing energy and thermal services for more than 1,000,000 square meters of floorspace. CleanPeak has a further 100 MW of solar and 300 MWh of battery projects in the pipeline. CleanPeak's internal EPC capability drives superior design and delivery outcomes, tailored to the needs of individual clients. Our asset management capabilities are underpinned by proprietary IT systems that optimise performance, efficiency, and resilience. With its own retail electricity license, CleanPeak is uniquely positioned to supply power directly to end-users, offering flexible, customer-first retail solutions that minimise cost and carbon footprint. Whether it is powering large commercial precincts or integrating behind-the-meter solutions, CleanPeak connects the dots from project design through to renewable generation and distribution. For additional information about CleanPeak, please visit
Business Insider
2 hours ago
- Business Insider
PGC announces new partnership with CubeSmart
Precision Global Corporation. PGC, announces its new partnership with CubeSmart (CUBE) to manage four of its Texas-based storage assets. As of Friday, July 25, 2025, CubeSmart officially assumes third-party management of all four properties. This marks a significant milestone in PGC's expansion within the self-storage sector and reflects the company's focus on enhancing value. Under CubeSmart's management, tenants at all four Texas locations can expect elevated service, improved visibility, and enhanced operational performance through CubeSmart's proven model. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence.
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Açaí prices set to rise as US imposes 50% tariff on imports
Bowls and smoothies made of the Amazon berry açaí have become ubiquitous in many cities across the US, but consumers may think twice about shelling out after Friday when a 50% tariff on imports from Brazil kicks in. Nearly all of the açaí pulp sold in the U.S., as well as in Europe and Asia, where people have also developed a taste for the tangy fruit, comes from Brazil. If no trade deal is reached between the Trump administration and the Brazilian government, the bowls could cost significantly more at hundreds of shops from New York to Los Angeles. Advertisement 4 A 50% tariff on açaí imports will kick in on Friday. New Africa – 'People already complain a bit about the price. If it gets more expensive, I guess it will become more of a luxury thing,' said Ashley Ibarra, who manages a Midtown Manhattan store owned by Playa Bowls LLC, a New Jersey-based company with around 300 shops in the U.S. With toppings like banana and granola, a bowl of açaí costs around $18 at Playa Bowls in New York. Competitor Oakberry Inc., the world's largest açaí chain with 700 stores in 35 countries, sells a smaller portion at a nearby Manhattan store for $13. Advertisement Playa Bowls declined to comment on the tariffs, and Oakberry did not respond to a request for comment. Açaí companies tout the product as an energy booster, a powerful antioxidant and a source of Omega-3 and other nutrients. The Food and Drug Administration said more research is needed to evaluate its possible health benefits. 'A friend introduced me to it one day, and I loved it, so I occasionally buy it,' said Milan Shek, 50, who was having an açaí bowl mixed with cereals and fresh fruits one recent afternoon in New York. Advertisement With a large markup, he said he would probably eat it less often. 4 A Playa Bowls location in New Orleans. William A. Morgan – Brazil's production and exports of açaí have skyrocketed in recent years. The berry went from being a local delicacy in small towns in the state of Para where it is mostly grown, to a widely popular treat across Brazil. Soon, exports began to be sent to other countries. Advertisement Production increased from around 150,000 metric tons 10 years ago to nearly 2 million tons last year, according to data from Brazil's statistics agency IBGE and the governments of Para and Amazonas. The U.S. is the largest foreign buyer, followed by Europe and Japan. 4 Açai production was 2 million tons last year, up from 150,000 tons 10 years ago. Imago Photo – Nazareno Alves da Silva, head of the Amazon Açaí Producers Association in Para, said companies were calculating how to absorb such a large cost increase in order to continue exports to the U.S. He wasn't optimistic. 'Right now, we still don't know how to do it. The numbers don't match,' he said. The trade would get too expensive for many U.S. importers, while Brazilian producers would be unable to cut prices enough to accommodate the tariff, he said, adding that producers would likely have to find other markets. 4 A smoothie made of açaí and other fruits. REUTERS Even those without an açaí habit are likely to feel the pinch of the Trump administration's tariffs on Brazil. Advertisement The South American country supplies about a third of the coffee consumed in the U.S., as well as orange juice and beef.
