Renovation update: Q4 2025

We broke ground! Or did we?

While most construction projects begin with a groundbreaking ceremony, ours began deconstructing a drywall. In the interest of minimizing our waste, we wanted a creative way to ceremoniously welcome this new phase of our building and Toro Construction was happy to support! We worked with them to unmount a drywall that will later be reused in a part of the renovation. We use this ceremony as a reminder that is "breaking" something is always easier than reusing.

After the renovations are complete you will be able to see where we mount this piece of drywall!

Speakers included:

• Ciere Boatright, Department of Planning and Development Commissioner

• Angela Tovar, Chief Sustainability Officer and Commissioner of the Department of Environment

• State Representative Theresa Mah, Ph.D

• Obdulia Vega, community resident and local entrepreneur

• Jonathan Pereira, Executive Director

Don't forget to visit us after the renovations are complete to see where we mount this piece of drywall!

The Indoor Victory Garden is getting a make over...

Since our last update, the renovations have largely focused on the renovation of the Indoor Victory Garden. The gas heaters were removed and sent for recycling. New plumbing was installed in preparations for sinks, bathroom, and floor drains. A few steel trusses were reinforced in anticipation of the installation of new electric air source heat pump equipment.

All of the soil excavated for plumbing was reused at another construction site in the neighborhood. The electricians were able to reuse some existing conduit and wiring, too! In total, an additional X amount of pounds of materials were diverted from landfills!

Next up for renovations in the farm is the installation of new roof (including adding insulation!) and leveling the floor. We are also gearing up to install a second ADA bathroom in the firehouse.

Updated photo of IVG -- FRP Walls and steel framing are up and have begun to give our indoor farm more shape!

It’s not too late to support the only shared indoor community garden in Back of the Yards! Donors of $500 or more can choose to have their donation memorialized in our Firehouse by adorning an interior glazed brick with their name.

Support Our Renovations

Special thank you to our project team and supporters—Toro Construction Corp., We Build Agency, Naturally Urban Environmental, and our generous donors for joining us in this milestone moment; IFF, Builders Initiative, Landmarks Illinois, The Chicago Community Trust, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, and Food:Land:Opportunity.