Groundbreaking is slated to take place on the massive Lathrop Homes project the week of Oct. 9, but the date is not yet confirmed. According to DNAinfo, Chicago Housing Authority spokeswoman Molly Sullivan said while the ceremony was originally Friday, scheduling issues caused a delay.

City officials and representatives from Related Midwest, Bickerdike Redevelopment, and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development are expected to be on-hand for the groundbreaking.

Photo by Related Midwest

Built in 1938, Lathrop Homes offered more than 900 public housing units throughout a 32-acre plot of land near the Chicago River, Diversey Parkway, Clybourn Avenue, and Damen Avenue. It was the largest public housing complex on the north side of the city, situated between Bucktown and Lincoln Park. Today, only a few units are occupied. 

In February 2016, the redevelopment plan for the Lathrop Homes site got approval from the city’s Plan Commission despite tensions between sides. The plans include a mixed-use project with market rate, public, and affordable housing units. It will also have retail storefronts, a remodeled riverwalk, and new landscaping. It’s expected to include more than 1,200 residential units.

In June the first all-new building included in the plan got its permit. Developed by Related Midwest, the six-story, 59-unit building at 2737 N. Hoyne Ave. is the first of two similarly sized buildings to rise. The structures are expected to look visually cohesive with the current buildings on site, according to Curbed Chicago.