Could you possibly have some office space in the building

Could you possibly have some office space in the building?

One more question sent in by email.

This seems like it would be a zoning issue. Anyone?

What is the purpose of the production studio and what kind of a studio will that be?

What is the purpose of the production studio and what kind of a studio will that be?

Question sent in by Kristen referencing this post, describing the facilities.

This is an area where I know nothing. Someone else?

Have you purchased the building?

Have you purchased the building?

This question was sent in by Kristen.

Can anyone chime in with an answer?

Any info on COST of condos/size etc yet??

Any info on COST of condos/size etc yet??

This question was sent in by Laurel.

I think the best way to answer it would be for individual folks who are involved to contribute what their perception is since there is no one right answer and we'll make our decisions by consensus as a community.

Please comment to this post and we'll start a conversation.

What do social justice and reconciliation look like for Josiah?

I saw that some of the values are social justice and reconciliation. What does that look like for josiah?

This question was sent in by Tracey.

I think the best way to answer it would be for individual folks who are involved to contribute what their perception is since there is no one right answer and we'll make our decisions by consensus as a community.

Please comment to this post and we'll start a conversation.

What is the connection you plan to have with the Lawndale community itself?

What is the connection you plan to have with the Lawndale community itself? Have you all met with their community leaders yet? There is a phenomenal ministry there; are they connected to you all?

This question was sent in by Tracey.

I think the best way to answer it would be for individual folks who are involved to contribute what their perception is since there is no one right answer and we'll make our decisions by consensus as a community.

Anyone comment to this post and we'll start a conversation.

What is co-housing?

Co-housing can be a scary-sounding term to many American ears. It brings up images of hippie communes and the like. The reality is that co-housing is pretty much just another term for intentional community.

At the Josiah Community, we'll be using the co-housing model: Everyone will own their condos just like any other building, with the ability to sell it for full market value when they're ready to move on. We'll make decisions by consensus about what "community" means but it will probably include meals taken together in the common space and a willingness to assist and rely upon each other for many of our other needs.

To me, this looks a lot like the early church.

We're lucky enough to be working with architect Chuck Durrett, THE expert at co-housing in this country. His site can be found at http://www.mccamant-durrett.com/ if you want to see what he's all about.

Another reference for the co-housing model can be found at http://www.cohousing.org/, which is the site for the Co-Housing Association of the United States.

What is the Josiah Community?

This is our first draft:

The Josiah Community is a co-housing learning community, forming in the neighborhood of North Lawndale, Chicago, whose aim is to sharpen men and women in their quest to embody the gospel of Jesus through community, hospitality and transformational learning experiences.

The Josiah Community will be a place, a home, a safe haven, where those who desire to continue their journey toward understanding the social imperatives of the gospel will gather. For some, the Josiah Community will be a permanent home, a place where committed Christians will share life. Others will stay for a season while they engage in guided study and urban life experiences in temporary residence. Others will come for just part of a day to think, talk, and pray about what it means to follow Jesus in a world of contrasting cultures and economic disparities. Transformational learning will take place through culture circles, movie discussions, presentations from authors, artists, theologians and practitioners, and through sharing the challenges of life together in the city.

What types of activities will be organized at Josiah?

Possible activities of the Josiah Community will likely include movie and book discussions, culture circles, guest authors, theologians and practitioners who will speak and lead interactive discussions, guided learning experiences with mentors, college credit classes, hospitality, spiritual retreats, a café or coffee shop, guest musicians and artists, film and podcast production.

What is the building like?

The Josiah Co-Housing Community will be developed in a 125,000 square foot, five story industrial building in North Lawndale at 4100 W. Fillmore. The building is a structurally sound brick building in an area that is zoned Manufacturing M1-2.
The first floor, 25,000 square feet will be dedicated to common space. The design will include a kitchen and dining area, hangout/recreational space, a lecture hall, meeting rooms, a fitness center, a workshop, a library, a chapel, a day-care facility and a production studio.

The second floor will include guest apartments for guest speakers and visitors and dorm rooms for students who will stay temporarily in a hostel living arrangement.
The third, fourth and fifth stories will consist of condo units which will be owned by the co-housing residents. These will include one, two and three bedroom units which will have a basic design and finishes chosen by the buyers.

The third, fourth and fifth floors will house individually-owned condos, desinged in a way to encourage community, with windows looking out into hallways, "front porches" and other design innovations. Homeowners that buy in early will get the chance to design their own units.

The development will include parking, possibly indoors, a shared tool workshop, a roof top garden and a dog run.