Community Spotlight: Fostering Prosperity at the Auburn Gresham Healthy Lifestyle Hub 

Community Spotlight: Fostering Prosperity at the Auburn Gresham Healthy Lifestyle Hub 

In October 2022, a transformation took place on Chicago’s South Side. A community that had experienced disinvestment and adversity for decades witnessed the grand opening of the Auburn Gresham Healthy Lifestyle Hub (the Healthy Hub). Situated in a once-vacant 60,000-square-foot building, The Healthy Hub has quickly become a symbol of revitalization, community strength, and equity in action. Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc. (Milhouse) played a pivotal role as the owner’s representative, doing its part to help positively impact the local community. 

A Community’s Lifeline: Access to High-Quality Healthcare 

For far too long, residents of Auburn Gresham faced the challenge of accessing high-quality healthcare. The Healthy Hub, operated by the University of Illinois Health, has changed that narrative. It provides primary and immediate care services, along with comprehensive dental and mental health treatment. No longer do residents have to endure long, costly journeys to distant emergency rooms and can instead seek services within the neighborhood. 

Beyond Healthcare: A Hub of Opportunities 

The Healthy Hub is not just a medical facility; it’s a multi-faceted center that addresses various aspects of community life. Here, you’ll find a Bank of America branch, a Chicago Bears Teaching Kitchen, a Big Brothers/Big Sisters office, a pharmacy, and many local restaurants. It houses a pro-bono legal clinic, empowering residents with legal support and education. Additionally, a Heartland Alliance branch office works to uplift individuals and families out of poverty through housing, employment, and family assistance.  

Community Development at Its Core 

At the heart of this project lies the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC), whose main office resides on the Healthy Hub’s fourth floor. GAGDC provides comprehensive community development services, further strengthening the bonds within Auburn Gresham. It’s more than just a building; it’s a place where the community’s dreams and aspirations come to life. 

Recognized for Excellence 

The Healthy Hub’s impact reaches far beyond the local community; it has garnered recognition at the regional level. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) awarded this project, Milhouse, and GAGDC the Equity with Impact Award as part of its Regional Excellence Awards program. This recognition highlights the Healthy Hub’s significant contribution to improving the quality of life and opportunities for residents, particularly people of color and those in low-income communities, highlighting Milhouse’s ambition to make a lasting difference. 

Milhouse’s Role in Creating the Healthy Hub 

As the owner’s representative, Milhouse was GADGC’s trusted advisor, helping them navigate the challenges of implementing the complete renovation of a historic building. They employed innovative approaches, such as utilizing productivity-based assessments to over $500,000 in cost savings for the client. Milhouse’s rigorous quality control measures were instrumental in enhancing the final output. By identifying and helping to resolve non-compliance issues early, Milhouse helped keep the project on schedule and within budget. The team not only upheld rigorous standards but also meticulously documented the process for the GADGC. 

Milhouse’s ability to adapt to constructability issues and implement phased solutions was instrumental in safeguarding the project’s overall success. In this context, Milhouse’s role as the owner’s representative was pivotal in achieving the Healthy Hub’s transformative impact on the community. 

In just a few months, the Auburn Gresham Healthy Lifestyle Hub has already made a profound impact on Chicago’s South Side. As it continues to thrive and grow, it stands as a shining example of what’s possible when communities unite to build a brighter, healthier, and more equitable future for all.