The Central Avenue plan has not only created a renewed energy in the community, it has seen real investment and projects over the recent years to reignite the corridor.
- Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation ($44 million)
Breaking ground in 2023, and opening its doors to the community in June 2025, this transformative development project, in partnership with Austin Coming Together and Westside Health Authority, has been a major milestone in the transformation of the Central Avenue corridor. This redevelopment of the former Emmet Elementary (a school closed in 2013) sits on the corner on Madison and Central is a workforce development hub for Austin with a manufacturing training center, legal services, andcommunity space. The Anchor Tenants in the building are: Austin Coming Together, Westside Health Authority, Jane Addams Resource Corporation, and BMO.
- PCC Wellness Expansion ($22 million)
PCC Wellness took what used to be five vacant lots in Austin and turned it into what is now the over 30,000 sq. ft PCC Community Wellness Center‘s Family Health Center. A state-of-the-art health facility that offers affordable primary care, and expands PCC’s behavioral health and substance use treatment options. The expansion has a particular focus around diabetes and nutrition education, and a growing behavioral team aimed at comprehensive care they can now offer to thousands more community residents. The expansion includes partnerships with Thres
holds Health and Windy City Harvest.
- Habitat Housing (2.8 million)
This past April, Habitat for Humanity broke ground on seven homes in Austin as part of long-term neighborhood investment on the city’s West Side as part of a multi-year project to spur affordable housing in Austin. Habitat’s work with Austin Coming Together began in 2023 when they began seeking out working with organizations in the community invested in seeking to bring affordable housing to the neighborhood.
“When we make a commitment to a neighborhood, it’s not just the start. It’s where we are going to go for the distance…we’re going to be here for years and years to come.” – Jennifer Parks, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Chicago. 
- Green Line’s Austin Station Renovation ($25.6 million)
This project, started in 2025, has aimed at improving accessibility at the Green Line’s Austin station. The station which originally opened in 1899, has not been upgraded since 1962. The renovation Includes a new elevator, escalator, and ramp, in addition to a platform extension and reconstruction of the stairs.
As the corridor continues to be redeveloped, there is a renewed energy around investments near the Austin Town hall, formalizing the arts district, and increasing pedestrian safety to allow the residents to take advantage of all the great things coming to the community. 
