“City leaders and developers recently celebrated the grand opening of The Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation at 5500 W. Madison. Planned by Westside Health Authority and Austin Coming Together, the project has repurposed the former Emmet Elementary School, one of 50 schools closed in 2013 by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

With Lamar Johnson Collaborative serving as the architect, the Aspire Center is a multi-use facility that includes an advanced manufacturing training center, small business incubator, community hub, and event space. Specific on-site services will include job readiness and vocational training, financial coaching, and employment services. ” (Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 6/26/25)

“The Aspire Center is a joint venture by the Westside Health Authority and Austin Coming Together to redevelop Emmet Elementary into a workforce training center at 5500 W. Madison St. Both organizations will have offices in the three-story, 85,000-square-foot building alongside the Cook County Public Defender, manufacturing workforce development organization Jane Addams Resource Corporation and BMO Harris Bank.

“Emmet Elementary was among 50 CPS schools closed in 2013 as part of a cost-saving plan by then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel. As the vacant school sat for years, a 2016 plan to turn it into a medical facility garnered mixed reception from neighbors, Austin Weekly News reported.

“The Westside Health Authority bought the school property in 2018, indicating a desire to keep the site community-centered. That same year, Austin Coming Together created its Quality Of Line Plan that included plans for redevelopment of the school. The Aspire Center began construction in May 2023.

“Of the $40.8 million supporting construction of the Aspire Center so far, $22.3 million came from city and state funding, including $12.25 million in tax-increment financing funds; $10.4 million in tax credits and equity from the Chicago Development Fund; and $8.12 million in philanthropic support. With an estimated cost of $44 million for the initial opening phase of the building’s first and second floors, developers said they expect to meet the $3 million budget gap by the summer.

“‘This whole project has really been about the community reclaiming its historic assets,’ said Darnell Shields, executive director of Austin Coming Together.

“The repurposing of items from Emmet Elementary is present throughout the Aspire Center. Auditorium seating is being used as hallway seating, lockers have been transformed into benches and the original gymnasium flooring is serving as wall decor. The school’s original oak trim, hardwood floors, terrazzo stairs, exposed brick and built-in cabinetry have also been preserved and the building’s facade and cornice ornamental molding largely restored.” (Liptrot, Block Club Chicago, 2/4/25)

Read the full story at Urbanize Chicago and Block Club Chicago

• Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation celebrates grand opening; The project has repurposed a closed CPS school building, Lukas Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 6/26/25
• Austin’s Aspire Center Opens This Summer, Transforming Vacant School Into Community Hub; The former Emmet Elementary is being converted into a workforce training and development center for residents. Westside Health Authority and Austin Coming Together are partners in the project, Michael Liptrot, Block Club Chicago, 2/4/25
• Aspire Center on track to open this spring; The building is part of a plan that aims to revitalize Central Avenue and build wealth for Austin residents, Jessica Mordacq, Austin Weekly News, 1/22/25
• Aspire Center Breaks Ground With Promise Of Bringing Work Training, Business Development To Austin; The center will be at the former Emmet Elementary School, which closed in 2013, and it’s expected to be done in 2024, Trey Arline, Block Club Chicago, 5/5/23
• Emmet School redevelopment clears zoning hurdles; Westside Health Authority’s project to break ground in spring, with partial opening anticipated in 2023, Igor Studenkov, Austin Weekly News, 1/7/22