Developers of Park Forest's newest multi-family apartment complex, Access South Cook, reported on Wednesday that construction is on schedule and proceeding as planned.

The affordable housing development is located in DownTown Park Forest, across the parking lot from Village Hall, along Indianwood Boulevard and Orchard Drive. The project includes the new construction of 44 rental units, consisting of 24 one-bedroom units and 20 two-bedroom units. It will also feature a shared green space and a community building. A portion of the 44 units will be set aside for individuals with mobility, sensory, mental health, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, as well as other types of disabilities. The residential units will also include amenities such as central air conditioning, in-unit laundry, high-quality cabinetry and flooring, and energy-efficient appliances and lighting. 

Letty Valencia, Senior Program Manager at Home First/IFF, the developer, stated in an email that leasing plans should be available before the end of the year. 

"We will be rolling out a leasing plan this November 2025. We will share that with the Village and provide residents with information on how to apply for the units," Valencia said. "For now, we encourage interested residents to fill out the questionnaire included in the flyer we have provided."

This project has been in the conceptual phase for over two decades due to the Village of Park Forest's desire for increased residential development. In late 2021, IFF approached the Village of Park Forest to discuss the possibility of a new development. Over the past two and a half years, they have collaborated to bring this vision to fruition.

WJW Architects is the project architect, and Blackwood Group/Crane Construction is the general contractor. Financing partners include the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the Illinois Department of Human Services, ComEd, First Merchants Bank, PNC Bank, and IFF Equity.