Employment non-profit to move into $14 million renovated building

An employment non-profit will move into former bank building after $14 million renovations. A $14 million building permit has been issued by Chicago for starting work on a renovation project at 1111 S. Homan Ave. for the North Lawndale Employment Network.

North Lawndale Employment Network, a non-profit, helps people finding barriers to employment find and keep jobs. They had announced their intention to move into the former Liberty Bank Building last year.

According to last October’s Austin Weekly News, the nonprofit’s director of development, Lauren Wesley said coffee shop,  an event space, administrative offices, classrooms, program training rooms, and a walled peace garden will feature in the building.

Wesley said, “The coffee shop, called Worker Bee Cafe, will employ the organization’s clients and serve food prepared by Inspiration Kitchens, an East Garfield Park culinary jobs training program, and sell coffee produced by Andersonville-based Metropolis Coffee.”

Coordinating the project is general contractor Ujamaa Construction, Inc. Key subtrades are: Electrical – Midwest Interstate Electrical; masonry – R.E.A. Masonry LLC; plumber/plumbing – Drive Construction, Inc.; and refrigeration and ventilation – Emcor Services Team Mechanical.