Development Grant Would Support ‘Circular Economy’ Headquarters Buildout

Plant Chicago would renovate a former firehouse at 4459 S. Marshfield Ave. as its mixed-use headquarters through an $825,000 Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) grant proposed to City Council today by Mayor Brandon Johnson.

The "circular-economy" organization would use the funding as part of a $1.8 million project to renovate the two-story, 125-year-old building for sustainable indoor gardening, workspaces, and retail sales operations. The grant would cover eligible buildout and worker training costs.

Plant Chicago is a 13-year-old not-for-profit that undertakes a variety of production-oriented projects that maximize the proximity of codependent uses. It currently uses the building for limited headquarters operations.

The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund allocates fees paid by downtown construction projects to support neighborhood investment on the South, Southwest and West sides.