$17 Million Investment Will Create New Community Center for Teaching and Learning
CHICAGO — (November 14, 2024) – Today, City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), Malcolm X College, the Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC), elected officials, community leaders and special guests and friends held a ground-breaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of construction for a new Community Center for Teaching and Learning at Malcolm X College West Campus, located at 4624 W. Madison.
The Community Center for Teaching and Learning will include recreational and meeting spaces for students and the community. The approximately 7,000 square foot dividable multi-purpose space is also available to rent as an event location for the community, businesses and other organizations and can serve as instructional space.
“As a resident of Austin, I know our community is rich in history and culture,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The strong spirit of pride here permeates our community, and the new $17 million Community Center for Teaching and Learning will provide an incredible opportunity for that spirit to flourish. This expansion offers new spaces for community members from the West Side to connect, create, and thrive, and I look forward to seeing the incredible impact this new center will have on our residents for years to come.”
“This new addition to Malcolm X College West Campus provides a place where residents can come together, participate in activities and build community together,” said Chancellor Juan Salgado, City Colleges of Chicago. “When we invest in higher education spaces, we help to attract the next generation of students and create pathways to upward mobility.”
“It is my hope that the new Community Center will reshape lives through higher education and that this center will become a second home to our community, a safe space for everyone to learn, share laughter, thoughts, and be together building a stronger West Side and city of Chicago,” said” President David Sanders, Malcolm X College.
The Public Building Commission is overseeing the construction project. The equity focused project development and construction process places a special emphasis on employing people of color and women throughout the development.
“Today marks an exciting new chapter for our community as we break ground on this much anticipated community center. This facility will be more than just a building, it will be a vibrant welcoming space that fosters learning, engagement and connections for residents of all ages,” PBC Executive Director Ray Giderof said. “The PBC is proud to be a part of a project that reflects our commitment to enhancing the quality of life across our city, providing resources and opportunities that support growth and well-being of our neighborhoods.”
The approximately $17 million project is the second phase of City Colleges’ continued investment in the Malcolm X College West campus, which was formerly known as the West Side Learning Center. This phase follows a first phase renovation that created new biology laboratories.
Community members can currently prepare for in-demand careers in healthcare at the Malcolm X College West Campus, such as basic nursing assistant (BNA), patient care technician (PCT), medical assistant, and community health worker. To learn more, visit www.ccc.edu/WSLC.
In addition, the recent renovations have created space for hands-on credit courses and career certificate programs that prepare students for healthcare roles including: Basic Nursing Assistant (BNA), Patient Care Technician, Community Health Worker, and Medical Assisting. Some of the programs are available at no cost to eligible Chicagoans thanks to City Colleges of Chicago’s Future Ready initiative.
City Colleges of Chicago is the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity—empowering all Chicagoans to take part in building a stronger and more just city. Learn more about City Colleges of Chicago at www.ccc.edu or call 773-COLLEGE.
About the PBC: The Public Building Commission of Chicago manages construction and renovation projects for the City of Chicago and its sister agencies. Additional information about the PBC and its projects can be found at www.pbcchicago.com. You can also follow the Public Building Commission of Chicago on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.