The Salvation Army Freedom Center

Enhancing its service to the Chicago community, The Salvation Army has relocated its Freedom Center from Chicago’s near west side to a six-acre site in the West Humboldt Park neighborhood. Bulley & Andrews, with Joint Venture partner UJAMAA Construction, provided construction management services for the new 187,000 sq. ft. center. Located on a former industrial site, Bulley & Andrews also served as general contractor to prepare the location, including demolition of warehouses and environmental remediation.

The new four-story facility is a precast structure consisting of 650 architectural wall panels and spandrels, 237 structural wall panels and 687 hollow core plank. Comprised of several interconnected buildings and courtyards, the new center includes a transitional facility, a substance abuse program, computer labs, gymnasium, auditorium and Chapel.

Home to the Harbor Light Center, the Pathway Forward Program, and the Mobile Feeding and Outreach Program, the new center serves roughly 22,500 people by providing educational, community, recreational and drug and alcohol rehabilitation services. The project is the recipient of new market tax credits from the City of Chicago.