Alderman Roberto Maldonado joins Jose Lopez, Puerto Rican Cultural Center Executive Director to officially unveil the new Paseo Boricua Arts Building on Monday, February 23.
The public is invited to attend. More than 100 local community residents and civic leaders are expected to attend.
The greatly anticipated project will transform seven buildings on the 2700 Block of West Division Street, including the former site of Ashland Sausage Company—vacant since 2005—into the first-ever cultural building in Chicago with a holistic focus on providing live/work space and promoting the talents of local artists in various media. The building will offer 15 live/work residences for artists and their families; a 99 seat multi-media theater with film, theatre, and concert performances; and a nearly 3,000 square foot art gallery with a retail component allowing resident and local artists to sell their artworks. A piano lounge showcasing wines from Latin America and spirits from the Caribbean will become an anchor for nightlife on the Paseo Boricua corridor.
With assistance from the Division Street Business Development Association (DSBDA) over twenty local artists from diverse arts backgrounds have prepared business plans that will help them to maintain sustainable artist spaces and become future tenants of the building.
WHEN: Monday, February 23 at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: 2701 West DivisionStreet
Maldonado Makes 26th Ward "Vet Friendly"
On February 11, Alderman Maldonado announced a $40,000 restoration of the "M3 Stuart" tank used by both the British and then the Allies during World War II. The tank will be restored over two years with $20,000 awarded from 2015 and 2016 Ward Menu funds.
The next day, the Alderman joined Mayor Emanuel and the Hispanic Housing Development Corporation (HHDC) to break ground on the 65th Infantry Regiment "Borinqueneers" Veterans Housing that will add 49 affordable apartments in the 26th Ward for veterans.
