Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) and Chicago Public Library (CPL) announced the beginning of construction on three innovative co-located housing and library developments being built across the city. City and elected officials joined community residents and development partners to break ground on the new Taylor Street Apartments and Roosevelt Branch Library, with construction also getting underway at two co-located developments in the West Ridge and Irving Park communities. The housing and library developments were designed by three of the city’s top architecture and design firms which were selected following a design competition sponsored by the City of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development. The competition was part of Mayor Emanuel’s vision to bring world-class design to Chicago neighborhoods and break from the standard, cookie-cutter designs that are common to government buildings. All three architecture firms selected have strong Chicago roots and have won awards for design excellence and innovation. The three co-located developments include the Taylor Street Apartments and Roosevelt Branch Library at 1342 W. Taylor Street on the Near West Side, the Independence Apartments and Independence Branch at 4022 W. Irving Park Road in Irving Park and the Northtown Apartments and Northtown Branch at 6800 N. Western Avenue in West Ridge.