R.A.G.E. doesn’t wait for change—we build it. The 'Re-Up' is a bold, community-driven initiative designed to reclaim and transform Englewood’s economic and physical landscape. Through strategic real estate development, business investment, and workforce training, we are laying the foundation for an Englewood that is owned, led, and powered by us.
The Re-Up on 59th & Racine will serve as an anchor project with the property at 1210 W. 59th Street, which is the ideal location for this development and will serve as a catalyst for future investments and corridor revitalization efforts. The project site is the former Leon's BBQ building and will be a pillar of Black business ownership and economic sustainability in Englewood. This building will include R.A.G.E's new headquarters, Black owned businesses-- designed for a restaurant, retail, or office space. Once the project is completed, we anticipate creating 50 permanent jobs and working to create 150 new jobs within the next 3 years with $35 million in annual economic impact driven from increased employment. We are creating the 59th Street V.I.B.E. Stay tuned for updates!
R.A.G.E. is also a key partner with the Go Green Development Group. The Go Green Development Group—a non-profit partnership coalition comprised of Teamwork Englewood, the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E), and E.G. Woode working collectively on the ReGenerator, an innovative school repurposing project poised to transform lives and the quality of life in Chicago’s Englewood 63rd and Racine corridor intersection four blocks from our project site. As the majority co-owners with Gorman Development Group, our non-profit coalition ensures the project remains focused on the needs of Englewood, honoring the legacy of Granville T. Woods, the African American inventor for whom the shuttered school is named. The total investment is $33 million and is scheduled to break ground later this year.
Through our partnership with Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) and JLJ Management, we are turning vacant properties into affordable, sustainable homes for first time homebuyers who want to live and own in Englewood. Re-Up Homes will also serve as a learning lab for emerging developers, current homeowners and anyone interested in learning basic home renovation skills. Once the renovation is completed on Re-Home No. 1, our hope is to sell it to one of our Buy the Block participant or another first-time homebuyer, ensuring that ownership stays in the hands of Englewood residents. The goal is to complete five Re-Up Homes a year.
