One Lawndale Recreation Center gains Plan Commission approval

The Chicago Plan Commission has approved One Lawndale Recreation Center, a new recreation center proposed at 3901 W. Cermak. Planned by Lawndale Christian Development Corporation, the project site is bounded by W. Cermak Rd to the north and S. Springfield Ave to east, with commercial and manufacturing uses to the west and south. The site was previously a CTA storage lot. 

Designed by Wight & Company, One Lawndale Recreation Center is a new recreation facility that will feature two indoor 60-yard turf fields, five full-size basketball courts, a boxing and fitness room, a wrestling studio, a community room, concessions/bar area, a pro shop, and offices. 

The facility is designed to provide accessible recreational opportunities within walking and biking distance for many neighborhood residents. In addition to supporting wellness through physical activity, the project aims to promote broader community health by encouraging regular movement and healthy habits, social interaction, and engagement through sports. 

Visitors will enter through the main entrance on the center axis of the main facade with a pedestrian path leading from the main entrance directly out to the sidewalk. A parking lot in front of the building will provide 83 spaces for visitors and there will also be bike parking. An employee parking lot at the back of the building will provide a further 22 spaces.

Standing approximately 43 feet tall, the building will be constructed of precast concrete paneling with a two-tone design that includes translucent panels and an aluminum and glass storefront at the main entry. The building’s facade will incorporate space for sport-themed timeline-style sports mural series—such as “Legends in Motion” or “More Than a Game”— celebrating iconic athletes, milestone moments, and the enduring power of sport to unify and inspire. The murals are intended to enhance the public experience of the facility and reflect community identity through visual storytelling. 

To allow for the $38 million project to move forward, the developer is seeking to rezone the site from M1-2 to C1-1. With approval from the Chicago Plan Commission secured, the proposal can seek final approvals from the Committee on Zoning and City Council. The developer plans to secure the financial closing in Summer 2026 with construction starting soon thereafter in 2026. Completion is targeted for Fall 2027.