The former Fiske Elementary building at 6145 S. Ingleside Ave., a 74,000‑square‑foot structure on more than 107,000 square feet of land, has sat empty since the school merged with Sexton Elementary in 2013 and moved to Sexton’s former campus.
CPS opened a bidding window from March to May 2025, requiring a $25,000 deposit and setting a minimum purchase price of $750,000. Three proposals met all criteria and advanced for committee review.
Prime Capital Group and Straight‑A Realty submitted the Ingleside Innovation and Wellness Center, a youth‑ and senior‑focused community hub that would include vocational training, adult wellness services, an early‑childhood daycare, a food hall, shared‑use kitchen, podcast studio and tutoring rooms. The developers estimate a $5.25 million renovation budget, seeking $2.25 million in historic and market tax credits plus additional grant and clean‑energy funding, while pledging to move forward even if external funding falls short.
Center Court Development’s Housing Now plan proposes a mixed‑income development that would add townhomes, three‑ and six‑unit apartments on the surrounding parcel and convert the school building into 48 apartments—24 market‑rate and 24 affordable units. The project also envisions the Africa International House occupying the ground floor and basement. Phase one would cost over $7 million, with a total building overhaul estimated at $16.9 million, funded largely through tax credits and a $1 million grant request.
Local landlord Bailey Tucker, joined by community leaders Dionell Hill and Kat Mokedi, presented the Fiske Community Center concept, which pairs a youth center, community hub for meetings, food distribution and job training with 40 affordable apartments ranging from studios to three‑bedroom units. Tucker estimates $3 million for building restoration and up to $10 million total project cost, financed through private investments and family‑sourced capital without public or grant money.
CPS property manager Jason Powell noted the building has been “stripped and vandalized and will need major renovations.” Alderman Jeanette Taylor (20th Ward) urged the board to act quickly, saying the vacant school is “irresponsible” for a community that wants productive use of the site.
The two proposals deemed “highest and most responsible” by the CPS committee will be forwarded to the Board of Education for a final decision. After board approval, the plan must clear either the City Council or the Public Buildings Commission before a sale can be completed.
The redevelopment discussions coincide with a city‑led streetscape upgrade of the nearby 62nd Street and Ingleside Avenue plaza, which adds new planters, seating, curb and drainage improvements, trees, bike racks and trash cans, signaling broader neighborhood revitalization efforts.