A $200 Million development has been approved by the Chicago Plan Commission and officials are hoping it will transform the West Side neighborhood per the Chicago Sun Times.
The first phase of this project is expected to begin in the spring of 2019 and completed by 2021. It is located on 10 acres of mostly vacant land in North Lawndale. It will feature 120,000 square feet of commercial and retail space and followed by the construction of hundreds of rental housing units.
The Habitat Company is the developer in partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority, Sinai Health System, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios and the city.
Charlton Hamer, senior vice president of Habitat Affordable Group said, "I think this is a very exciting project because it's a large scale new development in the North Lawndale community area which has been neglected for many, many years.
Hamer said the development will include the following:
- Walk-up flats
- Multi-family buildings and town homes
- Retail and commercial space
The Habitat Company has already received letters of intent from restaurants and a major bank that wishes to occupy the retail spaces with many more to come.
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Chicago Housing Authority CEO, Eugene E. Jones, Jr. said, "It will bring a new vibrancy to this historic community and serve as an example of what partnerships can do to improve not just one neighborhood but the city as a whole.
When the project is completed, Cinespace and Sinai will occupy a significant portion of the commercial space, expanding on their current locations on Ogden Avenue across from the Ogden Commons site. The expansion of the Cinespace studio into Ogden Commons will bring additional jobs to the community.
It is hoped that the mixed income apartments will be occupied by employees of Cinespace and Sinai and also as a housing option for employees of other North Lawndale businesses.
The following enhancements will be implemented with the development team working closely with the city:
- Extensive streetscape enhancements
- Decorative lighting
- Special pavers
- Landscaping and benches to enhance the pedestrian environment
According to the Press Reader, This project will be across the street from where TV shows such as "Chicago Fire" and "Empire" are filmed. The 10 acre site was once used for public housing highrises before they were demolished more than a decade ago.
When zoning is formally approved by the City Council, it will allow for construction of up to 393 residential units. Sinai will occupy retail and office space for outpatient services, and Cinespace will use office space as an incubator for small film production companies.
The project will be built in three or four phases, starting with 52,000 square feet of office and retail space and 111 rental units. Buildings in all construction phases will be three and four stories tall.
DataBid is currently reporting on this project - Ogden Commons Development Douglas Park - Chicago (0067042418)