City Council Asked To Authorize Land Acquisition For New Elementary School, Two New High Schools

Mayor Richard M. Daley introduced an ordinance into the City Council today requesting authorization for the Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC) to acquire property that would become the sites for new three schools: Kelly/Curie/Gage Park High School, Back of the Yards High School and Northwest Area Elementary School.

The PBC is managing construction of the new schools as part of Mayor Daley’s “Modern Schools Across Chicago” program.

The proposed sites are:

• The southwest corner of 53rd and St. Louis streets for the new Kelly/Curie/Gage Park High School.
• The southwest corner of 47th and Hoyne streets for the new Back of the Yards High School.
• The southeast corner of Belmont and Laramie streets for the new Northwest Area Elementary School.

Each site was approved by the PBC at its July board meeting. The locations were chosen by the Chicago Board of Education based on the need for sites well suited for new schools that will relieve overcrowding, officials said. Approval by the full City Council is needed to acquire the property.

“The new Kelly/Curie/Gage Park High School, Back of the Yards High School and Northwest Area Elementary School will each feature a modern, environmentally friendly design that will serve these communities for many years to come,” Mayor Daley said.

Mayor Daley’s “Modern Schools Across Chicago” program will bring 24 new schools and three major high school renovations to the city over the next several years. The program is a partnership with the Chicago Public Schools, primarily funded by city Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars and CPS bonds.