On Thursday, January 19th, CPS hosted a virtual community meeting to discuss the proposed Near South High School. To keep residents informed, Alderman Dowell is distributing links to the meeting video, engagement website, and the post-session survey.

In July, the CHA board granted CPS a 95-year lease for the land at 2450 S. State St. to build the new school. On December 14th, the Chicago City Council approved an ordinance to authorize a land swap and $8 million acquisition of property payment with the CHA at 2300 S. Wabash to allow for the appropriate number of affordable/CHA units to be built as part of the Southbridge development. This swap would allow the school to be built at 2450 S. State St. while maintaining the CHA's commitment to build the promised number of affordable units. The State of Illinois has also preliminarily allocated $50 million toward the construction of the new school.

Before any construction can move forward, significant community engagement and numerous City Council actions will need to take place. This ensures residents voices will be heard throughout the process. To that end, please fill out the survey, and as additional information and meetings on this issue are made public, Alderman Dowell's office will inform the community immediately.