$11.9 million in TIF approved for Southbridge Phase 1C

The Community Development Commission has approved $11.9 million in TIF funding and the sale of city-owned land for Southbridge 1C. Planned by The Community Builders, the multiphase project is situated on an 11-acre site previously occupied by the Harold Ickes Homes. Addressed at 3 E. 23rd, Phase 1C will occupy a vacant parcel at the southeast corner of the intersection of E. 23rd St and S. State St.

Designed by Gensler and Nia Architects, the new development will consist of a 12-story mixed-use building with 80 mixed-income residential units and 1,500 square feet of retail space. The building’s retail space will occupy the corner of the footprint overlooking the intersection of E. 23rd St and S. State St while the residential entry will front S. State St. Residents will have access to a bike room but there are no parking spaces included in the building.

With ten floors of residential units, the building will have 80 apartments with a mix of 20 studios, 50 one-beds, and 10 two-beds. As a mixed-income development, there will be 36 market-rate units, 15 units at 80% AMI, and 29 CHA units at 30 and 60 % AMI.

Residents will have access to amenities on the top floor including a fitness center, an amenity lounge, residential storage units, and a roof deck looking north towards downtown.

Designed to stand 141 feet tall, the structure will be clad in a combination of colors of metal paneling and brick at the ground floor.

The $49.1 million development will be funded with a series of different sources including $13.65 million in debt, $6.4 million in senior debt from IHDA, $11.9 million in TIF funding, $10 million in CHA soft funds, and other sources. The three city-owned lots that the project will sit on will be sold to the developer for $1 each. 

With approval from the CDC secured, the proposed TIF and land sale can proceed to secure final approval from the City Council. With McHugh Construction and Powers & Sons Construction on board as the joint venture general contractors, construction is expected to begin in Q4 2025 and wrap up by Q4 2027.