The first $500-million phase is planned to include a 6,000-seat music hall, 180-key hotel, retail space, two parking garages, enhanced pedestrian walkways, bike lanes and roadways. “This is an investment that will create jobs and housing, attract new businesses, generate economic activity and help ensure the benefits of growth reach the residents and families who call the West Side home,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson at the groundbreaking.

“The biggest challenge is the close coordination required to ensure access and safety of the guests and staff of the second busiest arena in the country throughout the construction process,” said Andrew Totten, executive vice president with McHugh Construction.

The project, named to reflect the street address of the United Center basketball and hockey arena, is headed by the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families, owners of the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks.

Other longer-term plans for the project include 9,463 new homes, with 20% reserved for affordable housing, as well as commercial office space, green space and underground garage parking.

Ciere Boatright, commissioner of the Chicago Dept. of Planning and Development, said the Chicago Transit Authority's Damen Greenline will serve the development and that a plan for a Pink Line Station to be added nearby "is incrementally coming closer to reality along Paulina (Avenue)." 

The city in May greenlighted a $55-million tax break for the project where site work is underway and "[we] are free and clear to move forward now," said Colleen Quinn, a spokesperson for the United Center. The first phase of the project is expected to create 2,000 construction jobs and 32,000 construction jobs overall, as well as 7,000 permanent jobs, according to a statement from the United Center Joint Venture. 

At the groundbreaking, Walter "Red" Burnett, who represents the 27th ward where the project is located, recognized Jerry Lewis, a contractor murdered on March 24 near the United Center, who had championed the 1901 project, and minority-owned businesses seeking to be part of it.

“Jerry believed deeply in the power of the community,” Burnett said. “He believed that development should create opportunity for those who already live here. His vision and values are embedded in this project and his legacy will live on in what we create here together.”

Nassie Mason, 28 and Erving Harris, 31, have been charged in the alleged murder. No motive has yet been made known by Chicago police.

The project has participation goals of 30% for minority business enterprises and 8% for women business enterprises with an emphasis on local hiring for construction, according to the 1901 Project website. The redevelopment is expected to build out in multiple phases and be complete by 2040.