Austin HOPE Center breaks ground

Lurie Children’s Hospital and Stone Community Development Corporation recently celebrated the groundbreaking of the Austin HOPE Center at 5044 W. Chicago. Planned for a vacant site at the corner of W. Chicago Ave and N. Lawler Ave, the new facility will be a welcoming space for youth and families to seek community-based services and pediatric clinical and behavioral health care. 

As the anchor tenant, Lurie Children’s will offer a range of pediatric clinical services including behavioral health, asthma and lung care, adolescent medicine, substance use treatment, heart disease prevention, weight management and wellness, and treatment for sickle cell disease, kidney disease, and autism. These services will help close gaps in currently existing healthcare services in the area and were carefully selected through extensive community engagement, including with local pediatric providers, and analysis of Lurie Children’s patient data.

In addition to its clinical services, Lurie Children’s will also house evidence-based community health programs focused on food access, violence prevention, and early childhood support for new parents. They will also offer workforce development, research and volunteering opportunities.

The new building will also house Thresholds’ West Side community-based outreach teams. Thresholds is one of the oldest and largest providers of recovery services for people with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois.

Designed by Gregory Ramon Design Studio and TnS Studio, the new three-story structure will have approximately 25,000 square feet of space. Topping out at 55 feet, the building’s design consists of a colorful facade made of fiber cement paneling and brick. The site will include 15 parking spaces for visitors and employees.

With UJAMAA Construction leading the construction of the new project, completion is targeted for Fall 2025.