Our Vision

The west side of Chicago, and specifically the Austin neighborhood, faces a number of challenges relating to economic development, education, housing, public safety, and youth empowerment. This is well documented in the Austin Quality of Life Plan created in 2018 by a wide range of community members and organizations.

One of the key challenges is the high number of vacant commercial spaces along the North Avenue commercial corridor. These vacant commercial spaces lead to a variety of problems, including less customer traffic for existing businesses, less employment opportunities, more public safety issues, less property tax revenue, and less amenities for community residents. We often find that both business owners and property owners do not have the funds to renovate a vacant space, much less make improvements to the outdated plumbing, electrical, and HVAC.

In 2021, we came together to brainstorm what we could do to help and collected input from a variety of community members, community organizations, and elected officials. We decided to develop a hub for professional and amateur artists that contributes to Chicago’s creative economy called the North Austin Arts District. It is located on the North Avenue commercial corridor between the blocks of Central Ave and Luna Ave at 5534-5558 W North.

Third City Studio (opening Fall 2025) and Third City Cafe (opening Winter 2025) will be anchor businesses that attracts additional arts-related services and businesses to come.

The creation of the North Austin Arts District will meet the following development goals:

    • Provide artists studio space

    • Provide artists exhibit space

    • Connect local artists to other artists and institutions

    • Connect local artists to experienced business professionals

    • Partner with local schools

    • Provide full and part time employment

    • Support artists to generate income

    • Provide a meeting place

    • Create a unique destination

    • Drive traffic to other businesses

    • Provide more affordable housing

    • Provide arts-based amenities for local residents and visitors

    • Provide event space for local residents

    • Provide beautification for local residents and visitors

Leadership

Sid Zalani

  • Executive Director

    Sid is a business owner, director, and manager with 15 years of experience in financial strategy, operations management, marketing, and communication, serving multinational corporations across a range of industries including pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and product design.

    His current company, Indace, works with product designers and manufacturers to create and supply them with unique aesthetic material palettes. His previous companies, Apex Colors and SFC Chemicals, manufactured and supplied colorants for plastics and active pharmaceutical ingredients to large multinationals.

    Originally from the Chicago metro area, he is also a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, and a practicing artist in Chicago where he has lived since 2014.

    Sid joined Third City Studio as its executive director in July of 2025, with the intent of building a new space on the West Side to benefit its artists and residents.

  • Founding Board Director & Community Organizer

    Vanessa Stokes is an Artist, Entrepreneur and CEO of VS Creative Consulting.

    VS Creative Consulting is a Cultural Design Firm utilizing art as a way to engage communities. We do this by working with businesses, communities, and cultural spaces to design programs and practices that align with the organization’s mission and vision.

    Vanessa is a cultural organizer and curator of several public art displays in the Austin community, including 2 displays of the work of Dorrell Creightney, her father, located inside the train stations at Austin and Central on CTA’s green line train. In 2021, she created POPCourts on the corner of Chicago Avenue and Lockwood Avenue on Chicago’s Westside.

    Currently, Vanessa is the Executive Director of The Outwest Gallery & Cafe, Publisher of the Westside Review Magazine, Co-Host of Sage & Bloom Podcast and Talkn Bout All The Stuff Live Conversation. She is also the co-owner of Third City Cafe and Third City Studio located in the North Austin Arts District at North Ave and Central in the Austin Community. She is the President of the Park Advisory Council and the Chair of the Art & Culture Committee at Austin Town Hall Park. Lastly, Vanessa volunteers on The Hatchery Community Advisory Committee, and the Steering and DEI Committee Member of the Commercial Real Estate Awards, benefiting the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

    She also collaborates with local artists and community members creating the future of art, public art and Community Development on the West and South sides of Chicago. 

  • Founding Board Director & Real Estate Investor

    Jon is a Managing Partner at Third City Properties and has been investing in and managing real estate since 2005. Jon is an Illinois Licensed Real Estate Broker, founder of the Northwest Side Building Coalition (NSBC), member of the Neighborhood Building Owner Alliance (NBOA) Board and an active member of the Rogers Park Builders Group and Edgewater Uptown Builders Association.

    Jon currently manages assets in Chicago, Houston, and Amsterdam and is focused on identifying high value opportunities in the North and West Sides of Chicago. He takes a pro-active, hands-on approach to managing assets to ensure optimal performance of each asset.

    Jon is also the co-owner of Third City Cafe and Third City Studio located in the North Austin Arts District at North Ave and Central in the Austin Community.

    Jon brings 20 years of consulting experience leading projects across North America, Europe, and the Middle East for PricewaterhouseCoopers and JPMorganChase to help improve the operations of Fortune 500 companies. The common thread throughout his career has been to form lasting relationships and bring people from diverse backgrounds and skillsets to work towards a common goal, and having some fun along the way.

  • Founding Board Director & Influencer

    Yazmin Garcia is a dynamic professional with over 15 years of experience across property management, hospitality, and digital engagement. For the past five years, she has worked as a property manager for Third City Properties, where she has overseen residential and commercial operations, including tenant relations, leasing, maintenance coordination, and budgeting.

    Yazmin is also the co-owner of Third City Cafe and Third City Studio located in the North Austin Arts District at North Ave and Central in the Austin Community.

    Before transitioning into real estate, Yazmin spent a decade in the food and hospitality industry as a manager, bartender, and server. Her time in fast-paced, customer-facing roles sharpened her leadership skills and strengthened her ability to deliver exceptional service and handle challenges with ease.

    In addition to her on-the-ground experience, Yazmin is highly skilled in social media management and content creation. With a strong and loyal following across multiple platforms, she leverages her online presence to engage with broad audiences and create meaningful digital connections.