Ten neighborhood business projects are slated to receive a combined $2 million in Community Development Grants from the City, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced last week. To be funded through proceeds from Mayor Johnson’s Housing and Economic Development bond, the projects represent approximately $4.5 million in neighborhood investments.  The businesses and grant amounts include: 

Artists Book House, 4207 W. Irving Park Road, Irving Park:
$249,032 for conversion of a former school building into a community arts center and bookstore. 

Belmont Tavern, 3405 W. Belmont Ave., Avondale:
$250,000 for renovation of a historic tavern space for use by a new bar operator. 

RRM Visions LLC, 3420 W. Roosevelt Road, North Lawndale:  
$250,000 to renovate a vacant storefront for a restaurant and event venue. 

Skylark Bar & Restaurant, 2147-49 S. Halsted St., Lower West Side:  
$31,893 for rehabilitation of a restaurant and residential units. 

Tacotlan, 4312 W. Fullerton Ave., Hermosa:  
$250,000 for rehabilitation of a restaurant space with second-floor seating and a kitchen addition. 

Community Development Grant awards are administered by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and distributed incrementally as individual project phases are completed. More information or to read the full list of grantees is available on the DPD website at Community Development Grant website.