Apartments for disabled under construction in Des Plaines

Construction is underway on a new apartment building in Des Plaines for people with physical disabilities.

Evanston-based nonprofit Over the Rainbow has broken ground on Midtown Crossing Apartments, a four-story, 33-unit complex at 751 Graceland Ave. on the south side of downtown. The single-room apartments will provide barrier-free, affordable and accessible housing for people with disabilities, the organization said.

"Being located in downtown Des Plaines in proximity to transit, retail, restaurants and other amenities will allow our residents to have a great quality of life with everything they need at their doorstep," Executive Director Eric Huffman said in an email.

The building will be within one-third of a mile from downtown shopping and public transportation.

The project faced setbacks for more than a year while aldermen debated whether to approve zoning code variations requested by the organization. Some aldermen were concerned by some variance requests, including permission to provide half the parking spaces and to build on a smaller lot than required by code.

The proposal gained widespread support in September.

"Over the Rainbow is tremendously excited to be part of an emerging downtown Des Plaines," Huffman said. "Our coming to Des Plaines is a reflection of the city being forward thinking and embracing inclusion, which benefits the entire community."

Developers plan to open the apartment complex by fall. The development marks the organization's 11th apartment community.