SSG LLC is the master developer responsible for real estate acquisition, capital structuring, design and build oversight, and Public-Private Partnership (P3) negotiations with the City of Chicago. SSG LLC holds the real estate assets and manages the full debt/equity capital stack. Understanding both the challenges SSG LLC faces and the benefits it delivers is essential for every investor, government partner, and community stakeholder.
01
Core Challenge
Pre-Development Capital Gap
Before a single feasibility study can begin, SSG LLC needs $150,000 in pre-development capital. Sports Facilities Advisory (SFA) has presented agreement documents ready for execution — the work cannot start until funding is secured. This creates a critical "chicken and egg" problem: the institutional-grade feasibility data that unlocks $100M–$300M in capital investment cannot be produced until the $150,000 pre-development investment is made first.
How SSG LLC is addressing it
- Chicago Community Trust Pre-Development Fund application — immediate priority. David Doig (CCT) association established.
- US Bank community development financing discussions initiated — Micae Brown contact established.
- Chatham Business Association letter of support secured — community credibility in place.
- Multiple additional grant and philanthropic sources being pursued in parallel.
02
Core Challenge
Land Acquisition & Site Control
The primary PSC site at 115th Street & Doty Avenue encompasses 300 acres in Chicago's Calumet Region. SSG LLC must navigate land acquisition, zoning, environmental assessment, and regulatory approvals before development can proceed. The alternative Washington Park site adds strategic optionality but requires separate CPD negotiation with General Superintendent Carlos Ramirez Rosa.
How SSG LLC is addressing it
- Dual-track site strategy: advance 115th & Doty as the primary master-planned site while simultaneously exploring Washington Park partnership with CPD and DuSable Museum.
- Peri Irmer (DuSable Museum President & CEO; former ISFA CEO) has personally encouraged SSG to explore Washington Park — a powerful institutional advocate.
- $25,000 environmental assessment and $25,000 legal review budgeted within the pre-development funding request.
03
Core Challenge
Capital Stack Complexity
A $100M–$300M mixed-use sports district requires a sophisticated, multi-layered capital strategy that no single source can fund alone. SSG LLC must navigate TIF, NMTC, state and federal grants, private equity, corporate sponsorships, naming rights, philanthropic capital, and revenue bonds — all simultaneously, and in the correct sequence to avoid structural funding gaps.
How SSG LLC is addressing it
- SFA's proven "Concept to Concrete" development pathway sequences capital sources correctly — eliminating the risk of pursuing the wrong source at the wrong time.
- Kym Hubbard (SC1 Finance & Audit Chair) — former CIO & Treasurer at Ernst & Young Americas ($15B+) — provides institutional capital strategy guidance.
- Kam Buckner — who negotiated the $675M Wrigley Field P3 deal — leads City of Chicago P3 structuring.
- Peri Irmer's ISFA network provides direct access to the financing mechanisms used for major Illinois sports facilities.
04
Core Challenge
Political & Regulatory Navigation
A 300-acre sports district on Chicago's South Side requires political alignment across multiple layers of government: City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, Cook County, State of Illinois (DCEO, ISFA), and federal agencies (NPS, Army Corps, FHWA). Each layer has its own timeline, process, and stakeholder requirements.
How SSG LLC is addressing it
- Kam Buckner (Illinois Speaker Pro Tempore) serves as PSC's government relations anchor and City of Chicago P3 co-lead — providing direct legislative and executive access.
- SLFP documented stakeholder status gives SSG LLC a formal seat at the table in Chicago's most significant public investment corridor.
- Alderman Anthony Beale (Pullman Sports Complex champion) identified as the reference model — aldermanic champion engagement targeted Month 6–8.
- Federal agency engagement mapped and sequenced in the development timeline to avoid permitting delays.
05
Core Challenge
Community Trust & Stakeholder Management
South Side communities have experienced decades of promised large-scale development projects that never materialized. SSG LLC must earn and maintain community trust through consistent, transparent engagement — not just press releases. Every stakeholder group must believe that PSC is being built for them, not at them.
How SSG LLC is addressing it
- Chatham Business Association letter of support established — local business community already engaged.
- Peri Irmer (DuSable Museum) and Mike Kelly (SFA Community Playmaker; former CPD) provide deep community credibility and institutional bridges.
- SSG's SLFP documented stakeholder status demonstrates years of authentic civic participation — not a new entrant.
- Edward Cruzat II is a South Side native, Whitney Young High School coach, and lifelong community member — the strongest possible community trust credential.
01
✦ No Competitor Can Replicate This
SLFP Documented Stakeholder Status
Edward Cruzat II, John Cruzat, and Hilton Clark are formally documented stakeholders in the City of Chicago's South Lakefront Framework Plan — the same planning corridor as the Obama Presidential Center and TGR Tiger Woods Golf Course. This is a public-record civic credential. SSG LLC participated in SLFP meetings representing three transformational projects: the Obama Presidential Center, the TGR Golf Course, and the SSG Presidential Sports Complex.
- City of Chicago officials recognize SSG LLC as an established stakeholder — not a new proposal requiring years of relationship-building.
- Institutional funders see SLFP status as independent, government-validated credibility — not self-reported.
- Every government grant application, TIF request, and P3 proposal is strengthened by this documented civic standing.
02
✦ Engineered for Scale & Sustainability
The Quad-Partnership Model
SSG LLC is structured as a for-profit CDC within a four-entity structure that isolates risk, maximizes institutional funding access, and guarantees world-class program delivery from Day 1.
- SSG LLC (For-Profit CDC): Master developer — real estate, capital stack, P3 negotiations
- SSG Non-Profit (501c3): Community programming, youth sports, scholarships, free access
- Sports Facilities Advisory (SFA): $10B+ portfolio — feasibility, pro forma, finance support
- Sports Facilities Management (SFM): Facility operator serving 25 million annual visitors — guaranteed Day 1 foot traffic
03
✦ Institutional-Grade Leadership
The Planning Committee
SSG LLC is guided by a Planning Committee that brings government, finance, sports, and communications expertise that most development projects of this scale cannot match.
- Kam Buckner (Co-Chair): Illinois Speaker Pro Tempore. Negotiated the $675M Wrigley Field P3. PSC's City of Chicago P3 co-lead.
- Katrina Adams (SC4 Sports Programming): Former USTA President. NGB relationships across 17–30 sports. USOPC CODP designation lead.
- Kym Hubbard (SC1 Finance & Audit): Former CIO & Treasurer, Ernst & Young Americas ($15B+). PIMCO Funds board member.
- Peri Irmer: Former ISFA CEO — direct expertise in Illinois sports facility finance mechanisms.
04
✦ Legally Enforceable Commitments
Community Benefits Agreement (CBA)
SSG LLC does not make promises. It makes contracts. The PSC Community Benefits Agreement enforces these commitments by law — not by goodwill.
- 50% of all construction jobs from South Side zip codes: 60617, 60619, 60620, 60621, 60628, 60629
- 30%+ of all construction contracts awarded to MBE/WBE firms
- Free weekday access 3–6 PM for South Side youth. 1,000+ scholarships Year 1
- 15% of all retail and concession space reserved for South Side entrepreneurs at subsidized rates
- The $693/year pay-to-play barrier — eliminated permanently for qualifying youth
05
✦ Federal & International Validation
Four Institutional Credentials
SSG LLC has secured or is pursuing four institutional credentials that transform PSC from a local project into a nationally and internationally validated civic institution.
- Federal Law S.1419 / H.R. 2850 (Youth Sports Facilities Act): PSC qualifies for federal EDA grants (~$500M annually). Congressional validation from the House floor.
- USOPC CODP Olympic Village Candidate: NGB partnerships, Olympic Trials eligibility, formal Team USA pathway for South Side athletes.
- UN DESA STREETS Hub: Accredited by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. All 17 SDGs aligned.
- SFA/SFM Partnership: $10B+ portfolio. 25M annual visitors. Day 1 operational guarantee. The de-risking partner that converts investor skepticism.