Kristin Dean
Kristin Dean is the president of the Foundation for Homan Square and has been involved in all aspects of the $250+ million redevelopment of the 55-acre, original Sears, Roebuck and Co. headquarters on Chicago’s West Side since work began nearly two decades ago. The Homan Square project has won numerous local and national awards, including the Urban Land Institute Award for Excellence and two Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards.
The Homan Square Community Center is a one-of-a-kind comprehensive health, recreation, education and family support center. The Center is a public-private initiative of the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, HSCCF and five non-profit service providers. It is a central component of the Homan Square redevelopment, with more than 6000 visitors per week.
Dean led the $40 million restoration and historic preservation effort of the historic Homan Square Power House into the Charles H. Shaw Technology and Learning Center (Shaw TLC). The LEED Platinum certified historic structure now operates as a modern public charter high school with 450 students from surrounding neighborhoods.
Dean is now focusing on the renovation of the original Sears Tower. The 14-story building was constructed as part of the Sears Catalog Facility and provided management offices, an observation deck. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 14-story Tower is now being maintained for possible renovation and reuse for a variety of community and youth programs.
A graduate of Stanford University, Dean has worked on a variety of marketing, energy conservation and community development projects. She serves on the boards of Lawndale Business and Local Development Corporation and Henry Ford Academy: Power House High. Dean is a licensed real estate broker and is a member of the Urban Land Institute.