Community Shows Support for Zapata Apartments Project

Hundreds of local supporters turned out March 11 to show their backing for the Zapata Apartments, which will provide 75 new units of affordable rental housing on four sites near Armitage Ave. in Logan Square.  
    Bickerdike Redevelopment Corp. presented its plan to the 35th Ward Zoning Advisory Council’s Community Meeting at Funston Elementary School.  The apartments will be built on four vacant lots on or near Armitage between Kedzie and St. Louis.  Most (79%) will be two- or three-bedroom units designed for families.
    LSNA has supported the Zapata Apartments since 2005 when community stakeholders called for more affordable housing.  Parents and teachers from local schools pointed out that attendance was falling at area schools – as families were displaced by new condos in the ever-more expensive housing market.  Since that time quality, affordable rental housing has become even scarcer. And now, the economic crisis is hurting housing options in Logan Square. According to the Woodstock Institute, 55% of foreclosures in Logan Square were in two- to six-unit buildings - meaning anywhere from 392 to 500 rental apartments were foreclosed on last year.
    Zapata Apartments is one part of a much-needed solution to the housing crisis in Logan Square.  Moreover, Zapata Apartments will create at least 87 new local jobs, stimulating the Logan Square economy. The 35th ward Zoning Advisory Council unanimously approved the project, and the City Council will review necessary zoning changes for the project in the coming months.
    To get involved with the Zapata Apartments campaign, call Rebecca Walz at 773-384-4370 ext. 50.

Armitage and St. Louis Site, 36 Units

Cortland and Ridgeway Site, 24 Units