BEAR Construction, alongside Onward House and Whitney Architects, recently celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony on the northwest side of Chicago.
The earthy smell of dirt and glinting shovels welcomed participants to the groundbreaking ceremony of the Onward Neighborhood House CARES Community Center on Monday, March 30.
As dust settled across the gutted interior of a former funeral home in Belmont Cragin, elected officials, community leaders, and key project stakeholders paved way for new life at the site as they ceremoniously marked the beginning of construction on Chicago’s northwest side.
Centers such as these are more critical than ever to support healthcare access, food security, and youth development across the city. Chicago entered its 2026 budget cycle with a projected $1.15 billion deficit, as federal post-pandemic funding reached its expiration date – funding which helped keep community services afloat. As those dollars disappear, these same spaces are often hit the hardest. Onward House, a community-based nonprofit, wanted to launch this community hub where low-income residents, families, and immigrants could benefit most.
When BEAR Construction was approved to serve as general contractor of the project, the team was thrilled to work alongside longtime partner Whitney Architects. With shovels and hard hats lined up behind her, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) said it best: “At a time when lifesaving services are being threatened and our diverse communities targeted, I am proud to have worked by their side to secure $3 million in federal funding to expand Onward House’s services with a new community center… today’s groundbreaking shows us what’s possible when our tax dollars are invested back in our communities.”
What puts BEAR in a unique position is the company’s ability to serve as a bridge between public dollars and public benefit. While this project is undeniably meaningful and exciting, that shared vision cannot come to life without a capable builder to execute it. The Federal Highway Administration explains, “Public investments create jobs and generate tax revenue during construction, but the long-term economic benefits only materialize when projects move forward efficiently and are completed.” BEAR will be responsible for taking the vision of the community hub and physically transforming it into a redesigned, 31,000-square-foot piece of work.
With hard hats on, guests of the groundbreaking ceremony toured the demolished interior of the building. While the vacant space currently holds nothing more than metal scaffolding and concrete floors, BEAR is eager to begin construction on the pediatric clinic, food pantry, rooftop garden, adult education classrooms, and community spaces which will soon reside. The project team consists of six core members and many dedicated laborers who will rebuild the space with safety and efficiency at the core of their work.
BEAR Project Engineer Alex Hernandez shared that this is his first community project on the city’s northwest side. To work on something so meaningful, with real impacts on the surrounding community, is what brings him excitement each week he’s on site. With a smile, Alex reassured guests that all traces of the building’s past will be rebuilt, renewed, and made fresh for the opening of the new 2644 N. Central Avenue community hub.
BEAR Construction, alongside Onward House and Whitney Architects, cannot wait to showcase the CARES Community Center come September 2026.
Onward!
