Sankofa Wellness Center breaks ground in West Garfield Park

The Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative, The Community Builders, and MAAFA Redemption Project, along with Mayor Brandon Johnson, recently broke ground on the Sankofa Wellness Center. Located at 4301 W. Madison, the project will occupy the southwestern corner of W. Madison St and S. Kildare Ave.

The Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative, made up of New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, West Side United, and The Community Builders, are leading the development with important health and nonprofit partners Rush University Medical Center, Erie Family Health Centers, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, and others. 

Positioned as the largest building within the village, the Sankofa Village Wellness Center will provide West Garfield Park’s more than 17,000 residents with health care and wellness programs, before and after-school care, and create quality jobs. Designed in collaboration between Bureau Gemmell, Moody Nolan, and New Office, the 60,000 square foot building will rise at the corner of W. Madison St and S. Kildare Ave.

Erie Family Health Center plans to provide more than 6,000 patients annually with comprehensive health care services. Through a partnership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, thousands of people will have access to fitness activities and childcare programs. A new credit union on the ground floor will help 10,000 residents open a bank account, thereby providing strengthened economic security and mobility. 

The $35 million development will be getting funding from multiple sources including its winning from the Chicago Prize, New Market tax credits funds, and others. With the full building permit issued and ground broken, general contractor Leopardo Companies can begin construction. Completion is slated for the end of 2025.