Cornerstone Community Outreach Pulls Out of Contract To Buy Wilson Avenue Location For Men's Shelter

The Bachelor Apartments in 2016, after a massive renovation

Tonight, two different sources have informed us that Cornerstone Community Outreach ended the purchase contract and abandoned efforts to purchase the Bachelor Apartments (1140 West Wilson) from Cedar St / FLATS. Cornerstone hoped to use COVID and TIF funds to buy the building and open a men's shelter. Local residents from the surrounding block clubs were strongly opposed to a fifth shelter in a several block radius. 

The decision is undoubtedly linked to the Zoning Board of Appeals' failure to approve the proposal last week. Residents along with tenants in the building (including Uptown Church, 2Bears Tavern, and Downstate Donuts) initially asked for a delay, which Cornerstone opposed. Various opponents then testified in opposition, with the commercial businesses and church asserting their operations would be adversely affected and they would likely be forced to close.

Homelessness remains a problem and -- like its peer cities -- Chicago needs more and better options for its unhoused residents. We have consistently taken the position that Uptown has more than done its part to ensure affordable housing and services for the less fortunate, and this is yet another opportunity to ask that our surrounding Aldermen and Wards take some responsibility. 

There are locations in the 44th  47th, and 48th Wards that would be more advantageous both for the existing community and the clients a shelter would serve, and we hope those Wards welcome a shelter in the near future.