6/26/2013
Today Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced an Ordinance that would authorize the execution of a new City as Tenant Lease agreement with the Board of Education. The Lease would allow the City to open the new Back of the Yards Branch of the Chicago Public Library at 2111 West 47th Street. The library would be located within the new Back of the Yards high school.
“We are very excited about the opening of the new Back of the Yards Library. This facility will provide critical library resources to area residents and our students. This library will provide students with world class resources which will allow them to reach their full potential,” said Mayor Emanuel. “We are very happy that the new library will open up in time for the beginning of the new school year. This is a great example of collaboration and coordination between the community, the City, the Board of Education, and the Public Building Commission.”
The Lease authorizes the City to use 9,000 square feet of building space on the ground floor. The library shall be open to the public and will include a computer lab, a media lab, a large book collection, and meeting rooms. The City will not pay for any rent but the City will pay for the library’s share of the operating costs. The Board of Education will be responsible for building maintenance and the City shall provide custodial and security services for the library. The Lease expires on June 30, 2018.
This project demonstrates the City’s and the Board of Education’s continuing commitment and investment in our children, their futures, and our neighborhoods.
