CHALLENGES

ChiFresh Kitchen, a women and minority-owned business, rapidly outgrew their initial space and sought a larger facility for their food processing, catering, and bakery operations. The renovation project, initiated in 2021, faced early setbacks with the existing wood trusses requiring unforeseen reinforcement. Additionally, the business encountered resistance from the local community, who were not immediately receptive to ChiFresh's mission.

SERVICES

To navigate these challenges and ensure successful project completion, we provided comprehensive services throughout the project lifecycle. We acted as the owner's representative, coordinating architectural and design services during pre-construction. We also facilitated the procurement of the general contractor, environmental testing agency, and structural forensic engineer. During the construction phase, we conducted weekly site visits, verifying adherence to schedules and drawings, and meticulously tracked and approved payments. Post-construction, we managed close-out documentation and coordinated the submission of pay applications to the Chicago Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) program.

OUTCOMES

Despite initial hurdles, the project was successfully completed in September 2022, culminating in a fully renovated space tailored to ChiFresh's unique needs. The comprehensive services provided ensured the project stayed on track, ultimately empowering ChiFresh to expand their business operations and continue serving the city. The project was notably funded by We Rise Chicago, Chicago Community Trust Pre-Development Grant, and the aforementioned NOF grant, underscoring its significance as a community-driven initiative.