NWSP is honored to have spent the last 10 years working alongside partners, neighbors and friends of the Near West Side! To celebrate this great accomplishment and shine a light on the power of partnership, NWSP recently hosted an anniversary event at Concordia 27.
The highlight of the event were 10-Year Impact Awards, which honored those who have made lasting contributions to the area’s revitalization and shown how vital cross-sector collaboration is in supporting community development.
A special recognition goes to the following awardees who exemplify partnership in action:
Community Champion Award
For fostering collaboration, inclusivity, and social progress.
Honorees: Rana Altenburg and Mick Hatch
Innovation & Resilience Award
For perseverance and creativity in growing local business and economic opportunity.
Honorees: Bennie and Angela Smith, Owners of Daddy’s Soul Food & Grille
Neighborhood Stewardship Award
For a deep commitment to neighborhood revitalization and engagement.
Honoree: Valerie Langston, NWSP Volunteer and Resident
Another major highlight of the anniversary event was celebrating the impact of Concordia 27—a flagship mixed-use development that opened in 2024. More than just a building, Concordia 27 embodies nearly a decade of collaboration, offering affordable housing, workforce development resources, retail space for local entrepreneurs, and community gathering areas. It stands as a visible symbol of what can be achieved when neighbors, institutions, and civic partners unite with a common purpose.
We also premiered our 10th Anniversary Video, which features the inspirational voices of community partners and business owners in the Near West Side. You can watch the video by clicking HERE.
Looking Ahead
While NWSP is proud of all we’ve accomplished over the past 10 years together, we will continue to look for strategic ways to build on past success and set the stage for even more ambitious, community-led outcomes.
For example, our recent Design Charette in April 2025 brought together a variety of community members at Harley Davidson’s headquarters to imagine the creative possibilities for what’s next in the neighborhood. We focused on 35th Street and its key focus areas and look forward to implementing the artistic ideas generated from this event.
“We know our work is just beginning,” said Executive Director Lindsey St Arnold Bell. “The next 10 years are about deepening our impact — expanding opportunities for residents, strengthening housing and public safety, and continuing to build a neighborhood where everyone feels they belong. This is more than revitalization — it’s about creating a place where people and possibility grow together.”
We are so grateful to each and every one of you for your support and partnership over the last 10 years, but this is just the beginning. From a strategic focus on health, housing, and the creation of a vibrant 35th Street, we have a lot to look forward to!
