The City of Chicago has put out an RFQ seeking architects interested in working on small-scale commercial improvement projects within some of the city's "underserved neighborhoods."

Describing the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) initiative that is fueling the RFQ call, a city website explains: "In 2016, the City of Chicago revised the Zoning Code to leverage funds generated by new development in and around the Loop to catalyze investment in Chicago’s West, Southwest and South Sides. The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund uses these funds to support commercial corridors in Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods. Business and property owners may apply for grant funding to pay for the construction or rehabilitation of real estate and projects that support new or expanding businesses or cultural assets."

Architects are invited to apply to help bring the investments funded by the NOF Technical Assistance (TA) program to life through work on all phases of the design process. 

The RFQ continues, "Architects participating in the TA Program will have the ability to address their clients' business needs with creative problem solving in order to create unique places and experiences that will sustain thriving commercial corridors."

The RFQ application is open until Friday, July 10th.