South Side Sanctuary

South Side Sanctuary is a 13,000 square foot outdoor community campus that demonstrates how vacant urban land can be transformed into vibrant civic infrastructure. For decades, neighbors carved walking paths through the empty lot. Today, those same paths are reimagined and lined with art walls, open-air classrooms, native gardens, performance space, and sensory landscaping that honors the quiet history of movement through space. The site features a public stage, pollinator-filled living fences, free community Wi-Fi, and flexible outdoor seating. Weekly programs include farmers markets, youth showcases, wellness classes, and live art activations. The site was designed and developed by Cecilia Cuff and The Nascent Group in partnership with Future Firm Architects as a living laboratory for equitable development, public health, entrepreneurship, arts and culture, and community gathering. Since opening, the space has welcomed over 25,000 visitors and supported over 500 minority owned small businesses.