Newly-renovated Antisdel Apartments first step in two-block development for Cass Community org

After a one-year renovation, the Arthur Antisdel Apartments at 1584 Elmhurst celebrated its grand opening last week.
 
The $10 million renovation of the 34,500-square-foot building was overseen by Cass Community Social Services. Now part of the Cass Community campus, the Antisdel will be used to house homeless and disabled men and women. Cass Community Social Services Executive Director Faith Fowler says that the first residents have started moving in and it will soon be filled with 41 residents.
 
Fowler says the building was stripped down to its studs and everything inside is brand new: the roof, elevators, electric, plumbing, heating, windows, floors, appliances, bathroom fixtures. "It's like a brand-new building with old brick," she says. There is also a new parking lot, bike rack, and green space on the surrounding land. "If fits right in as if it has always been occupied."
 
As part of the organization's campus, which encompassed 4.5 blocks with 7 buildings, residents of the Antisdel will be part of the community and have access to work, worship, and counselors. "It's all walkable," says Fowler. "The proximity is nice because you (we) can share resources."
 
This $10 million project – made possible by a creative mix of tax credits, grants, public and private funding – was the start of the development of two whole additional blocks overseen by the nonprofit. A second building that was previously drug-inhabited is now fully occupied with families, and an additional block has been purchased and cleared and the organization is moving on to the development planning stages.
 
"We're trying to create a community but also put people back into the community," Fowler says.
 
Source: Faith Fowler, Executive Director of Cass Community Social Services
Writer: Nicole Rupersburg

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