Access South Cook Progress Update

A preview of supportive housing in Park Forest

WJW staff headed to Park Forest for a recent site visit, where construction of Access South Cook is well underway. Todd, Marcelo, Mary, and Mariah met up with Letty Valencia and Dena Bell of IFF and José Garcia and Charlie Norgren from Blackwood Construction to walk through the site. As with any site visit, the day included observations of all aspects of the development, including the newly installed energy-efficient heat-pump water heaters!

Access South Cook features the new construction of 44 one- and two-bedroom apartments for people with disabilities, plus a community building that will contain a management office and resident common areas. With an emphasis on giving residents access to green space, the site plan includes an attractive accessible boardwalk over a beautifully landscaped rain garden. The site is at the heart of Park Forest, helping the Village to fulfill its dream of reclaiming the defunct site of one of the first and largest post-war suburban shopping malls, to create a vibrant, mixed-use, town center.

Stay tuned for updates as construction progresses!