City Officials Chicago Park District General Superintendent Michael Kelly, and Don Villar, Secretary-Treasurer from the Chicago Federation of Labor broke ground on the new Chicago Park District Campus in the Brighton Park neighborhood. The District’s move from its current Streeterville location to 4800 S. Western in Brighton Park, where they have been since 2001, will bring new investment to the city’s Southwest side, including added parkland to one of the city’s top park-deprived communities as well as stimulating the local economy by creating jobs and increasing spending with neighboring businesses. The Chicago Park District Campus will feature a 58,100 square foot, multi-story, administrative office space making it more accessible for the community.  An additional 20,000 square feet will house the park fieldhouse with a gymnasium, fitness center, bathrooms, locker rooms, and community multi-purpose rooms. The total 17-acre footprint also includes outdoor park improvements including, artificial turf athletic fields with lighting, a grand lawn, walkways, a playground, spray pool, natural area, and parking. This project creates a unique opportunity for the Chicago Park District to own, rather than lease, administrative office while addressing the deficit of open space per capita in Brighton Park. Brighton Park has an open space need of 66.68 acres, placing it in the top five, park-deficient communities in Chicago.  The total cost of the Chicago Park District campus is approximately $65 million. Funding includes multiple sources including, New Market Tax Credits and Tax Increment Financing.