Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation at Open House Chicago

The Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation is a collaborative hub for high-performing workforce training and wealth-building programs. The development of the Aspire Center represents a long-term investment in the people of Austin. It transforms the shuttered Emmet Elementary School into a state-of-the-art, multi-use facility where organizations will provide services to residents, community leaders, and industry employers. This community-centered adaptive reuse of the 3-acre Emmet School campus, closed in 2013, dovetails with Austin's Quality-of-Life Plan. Public spaces including the plaza, roof terrace, lobby, mezzanine, and corridors will be open to visitors. A special exhibit highlights the transformation of Emmet School, the cultural impact of the West Side, and larger changes within the Austin neighborhood. Also on view: a 120-foot mural depicting the history of the West Side, highlighting innovations in healthcare, dedication to civic engagement, and Black leadership.