Groundbreaking scheduled for Zion Woods Workforce Housing development in Deerfield
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Deerfield, along with Housing Opportunity Development Corporation (HODC) and Brinshore Development, will host a groundbreaking ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 10, at 10 Deerfield Road, Deerfield, Illinois, to commemorate the start of Zion Woods, a workforce housing development in the northern Chicago suburb.
The groundbreaking follows eight years of collaboration between the Zion Council and Congregation, HODC, Brinshore, the Village of Deerfield, the Illinois Housing Development Authority, and Lake County to provide the approvals and funding necessary to proceed with the development.
"This is the culmination of a lot of work by a lot of people, and a lot of prayer," explains Reverend David Kyllo, Zion's pastor. "Zion has long been an advocate for ethnic and racial diversity and helping others. Zion Woods will be a place that people of various backgrounds - and who hold various roles in our community - can call home."
HODC of Skokie, Illinois, specializes in the development of affordable housing developments in the greater Chicago area. Brinshore, located in Northbrook, is one of the preeminent affordable housing developers in the United States. These co-developers have targeted the summer of 2023 for the completion of Zion Woods, and will begin accepting applications in that same timeframe.
"Thank you to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church for their commitment to affordable housing and for their generous donation of land which makes this important project possible," said Richard Koenig, HODC Executive Director.
The Zion Woods development will have a total of 25 units, with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments which will be handicapped accessible. Designed by Eckenhoff Saunders Architects and built by BCM Construction, the new buildings will fit seamlessly into the neighborhood and will be green certified. Households earning less than about $45,000 annually will have the opportunity to apply for residency. HODC will be the manager of the property. The development will charge below market rents and target households who work in the area and persons with disabilities.
Zion will continue to occupy the church building and memorial garden while HODC and Brinshore develop the 8.9 acres of land surrounding the church. The Deerfield Bannockburn Fire Department will use the former parsonage for fire training activities.
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Deerfield, Illinois is the oldest continuing congregation in the North Shore area of Chicago, and a member church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). Founded in 1853 in nearby Highwood, it was a predominantly Swedish congregation, becoming more ethnically diverse after its move to Deerfield in 1950. Today Zion shares its building with North Chicago Onnuri Church, Jesus is My Pastor Congregation and Deerfield Boy Scout Troop 150. Long known as a congregation committed to promoting ethnic and cultural diversity in the surrounding community, Zion's views its mission as "Growing in Faith to Share God's Love."
Housing Opportunity Development Corporation (HODC) located in Skokie, Illinois is a community-based nonprofit established in 1983. HODC's mission is to develop, manage and preserve housing that is affordable to low- and moderate-income households primarily throughout Chicago's Northern suburbs. HODC has developed and manages over 500 affordable apartments.
Brinshore Development LLC (Brinshore) based in Northbrook, Illinois is a national real estate developer with offices throughout the U.S. Brinshore creates high-quality affordable housing with customized solutions that reflect the community. Since 1994, Brinshore has developed more than 75 projects in 17 states valued at over $1 Billion.
For information, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Deerfield: Sue Juhl and Sue Lindsley, co-presidents, Zion Council, zionlutherandeerfield@gmail.com
Housing Opportunity Development Corporation (HODC): Richard Koenig,(847) 564-2900
Brinshore Development: David Brint (847) 562-9400.