The United Yards, a $70 million plus Invest Southwest development initiative is comprised of Celadon Partners, a Chicago-based, experienced affordable housing developer, The Blackwood Group, a Latino-owned and -led general contractor and developer from Chicago, and Back of the Yards Works, a local minority-owned business consortium and developer leading the commercial development of the property.

The United Yards Development Team; Celadon Partners & Blackwood Group LLC envision an immediate corridor activation, that might otherwise take decades to develop and revitalize this once-thriving corridor. United Yards plans to restore an iconic landmark gateway that will be a source of community identity and pride. Most importantly we plan to expand the Ashland Avenue linchpin that binds together the social fabric of the North, South, East and West sides of Back of the Yards with local leadership and residents managing community space, owning the small businesses, and living in the new homes.