“Several years ago, the convent building neighboring St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Bucktown was home to nuns. Soon it may become apartments.
“In a key step toward final approval, the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards voted Tuesday to approve a zoning amendment for the church property bounded by Hoyne Avenue, Hamilton Avenue, Webster Avenue and Lyndale Street. City Council is expected to cast a final vote on the project Friday.
“The zoning change would allow developer Anthony Chedid to build 21 units inside the old convent, including two affordable housing units, Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) said. The units will range from studios to three-bedrooms.
“Waguespack, who lives in the neighborhood and once served on the St. Hedwig board as a financial adviser, supports the project. The convent building was constructed around 1910 but hadn’t been fully used in the past half-century, he said.
“‘Whenever you can find an adaptive reuse, it saves the environment,’ he said. ‘The building’s not going anywhere. You don’t wanna see it torn down. It’s perfectly solid. The neighbors are gonna essentially be looking at the same thing.’
“In a recent consent decree, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced St. Hedwig Parish, established in 1888 to serve a largely Polish community, would merge with Logan Square’s St. John Berchmans.
“The consolidation is part of the Renew Our Church initiative from the Archdiocese of Chicago to preserve struggling parishes. Waguespack said he didn’t believe the timing of the apartment project’s approval was related to the merger.” Alani, Block Club Chicago, 6/25/21