Who: Build Bronzeville (The Forum)
What: The Community Developer will play a key role in advancing three unique built structures as well as address other opportunities as they arise:
• The Forum. Built in 1897 at 43rd Street and the CTA Green Line, The Forum contains the iconic Forum Hall, as well as several over-sized retail spaces. Urban Juncture saved The Forum from city-mandated demolition in 2011 and has spent the past decade removing debris from the building, stabilizing the structure, replacing damaged building elements, researching and documenting the building’s rich history, and identifying a first set of financial supporters. As a result, The Forum has been stabilized, entered on the National Register of Historic Places, and received support from several financial partners. Our team is now working intensively to combine the federal and state tax credits and other sources of funding required to complete rehabilitation, while finalizing concepts, enterprises and partnerships for the spaces.
• Bronzeville Cookin’. Positioned to catalyze development of a Black culinary district in Chicago while serving neighborhood needs for quality food, Bronzeville Cookin’ is centered around a recently renovated retail building at 51st Street and the Green Line. With one restaurant in place, another nearing completion, and additional culinary concepts blooming nearby, our team is focused on filling the remaining spaces with compelling concepts and enterprises.
• Boxville®. Chicago’s first market comprised of refurbished shipping containers, Boxville has grown dramatically: from one 20 foot shipping container in 2014 to 22 in 2021, all located at 51st Street and the Green Line. Our team is working to strengthen the Boxville leadership and ecosystem while preparing plans to grow to 100+ containers.
The Community Developer will work with colleagues at Build Bronzeville and external partners to:
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Develop a capital strategy and financial pro forma for redevelopment and operation of these structures;
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Quantify the public benefits of investments in reestablishing a community hub of cultural performance and retail;
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Develop pitch decks and financial applications for use with a broad range of neighborhood, public, philanthropic, and private stakeholders;
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Finalize use and design of all elements of the spaces;
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Manage bidding, construction, and financial reporting of the
redevelopment process;
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Engage community stakeholders in the revitalization process through
efforts such as Open House Chicago and Forum Fridays; and,
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Identify and engage potential partners and patrons.
The full-time role will commence in Fall 2021. The Community Developer will report to the Build Bronzeville project leader, and work from the Bronzeville Incubator
Applicants with strong financial modeling, visualization, project management, economic and real estate analysis skills, and a commitment to neighborhood revitalization will be given priority.
No phone calls or drop-ins, please.
Urban Juncture Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.
Apply: Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter highlighting relevant experience and skills to info@urbanjuncture.com with “Community Developer” in the subject line. They should have completed a graduate degree in a related discipline (or secured equivalent professional experience), with at least three years of work experience.