But, today the corner of 38th and Broadway has a new future. People who live in the neighborhood gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking for a new senior citizens community and retail development.
Diane Hollins Gunning is among the neighborhood leaders who worked for almost a decade to win city approval of the project.
Hollins Gunning: "The neighbors adjacent to it will have a place to shop. Seniors add a vibrant component to the community. They will be helping out, like, with reading components with the youth -young children. And they provide a stabilizing force in the community. So, this will be a good project for the community."
Related California is the developer of the project.
The senior community will be called Arbors at Oak Park and will cost $15 million. It is expected to create as many as 50 construction jobs and at least 30 full-time jobs when it's complete.