The Center on Halsted hosted its official ribbon-cutting ceremony opening the facility on Tuesday. #1 Board President Robert Kohl, former Board President Patrick Sheahan, Executive Director Robbin Burr and Mayor Richard Daley. #2 Robert Kohl, Mayor Daley, Ald. Tunney, Mera Kelley-Yurdin, Patrick Sheahan, Robbin Burr, Modesto 'Tico' Valle—the incoming executive director, and Ald. Helen Shiller. #3 Kohl and Daley. #4 Burr and State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. Photos by Tracy Baim. #5 Debra Shore, Robbin Burr, Robert Kohl, Ald. Helen Shiller, Ald. Tom Tunney and Patrick Sheahan. Photo by Amy Wooten
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After much work, donated dollars and teamwork, the highly anticipated new Center on Halsted officially opened its doors on June 5 during an emotionally charged ribbon-cutting ceremony.
'Let's get this place out and open!' shouted Center on Halsted Executive Director Robbin Burr.
The Center on Halsted, located at 3656 N. Halsted, is now the largest LGBT community center in the Midwest and the most comprehensive center of its kind in the nation—a giant symbol of pride spanning 185,000-square feet and three stories, in the midst of 'Boystown'.
During the ceremony, many noted that the opening of the Center is an example of not only how one community can work together to create something bold and innovative, but also an example of the diversity of Chicago.
Mayor Richard M. Daley, who attended the ceremony, was received with much applause for his support of the Center and the LGBT community over the years.
'To me, it is a labor of love,' Daley said. 'This Center is not just concrete and steel, but the names that stood behind it for so long.
'This is an example of a community working together and an example of the contributions the LGBT community has made in this community, state and nation.'
Many present noted governmental support, and said that without the teamwork of politicians, as well as the public and private sector, the facility would not be possible.
'We've been bold enough to dream, naïve enough to believe and tenacious enough for this to happen,' said Patrick Sheahan, Center on Halsted board chairman emeritus.
Also in attendance was former 44th Ward Ald. Bernie Hansen, who, along with the mayor, envisioned an LGBT community center years ago. 'I am pleased and proud to finally have a first-class center to take care of a community that has been long neglected,' Hansen told Windy City Times. 'Our community is stronger and prouder than ever.'
'It's very exciting,' said 46th Ward Ald. Helen Shiller, who has worked closely with the mayor and 44th Ward Ald. Tom Tunney in providing equality for Chicago's LGBT community. 'I remember when it was a kernel of an idea, and to see it all come together in a grand fashion is amazing.'
The venue features a theater, a Whole Foods grocery store ( that will open in July ) , a recreation center, offices for several organizations, meeting rooms, a roof garden, a technology center, underground parking, a café and much more.
Designed by the architectural firm Gensler, the Center also provides a home for the city's large number of community organizations, allowing them to collaborate, share and grow. In addition, it provides mental health services, education and counseling to youth and a large number of services for the elder community.
'This is a safe space and catalyst for something that's never happened before, and that gets me excited,' Burr said.
Center on Halsted officials predict that the new facility will see over 20,000 visitors in its first year, and will not serve just the LGBT community of Chicago.
'There is nothing like this in the country,' Tunney said. 'This is really security for the community. This is for the future. This is historic.'