Amazon has received its first construction permit for its planned facility on the former Allied Metal site in West Humboldt Park. It will be located at the northwest corner of Kostner Avenue and Division Street. The 140,000 square foot, single-story distribution center scored an estimated $31 million building permit. Premier Design + Build Group was announced as the general contractor on this project.
RE Journals reports that Amazon purchased the 26 acre site in June and paid over $30 million. The permit from the city lists the estimated cost of construction at $31,000,000 with over $51,000 in fees to the city to break ground. The facility is expected to be completed and opened by late 2022 and could bring 500 new jobs - both part-time and full-time to the West Humboldt Park community.
The facility is just one of several major construction projects in the Chicago area that Amazon is either an owner-operator or lessee. Another major purchase from Amazon includes the old Central Steel & Wire plant at 3000 W. 51st Street. The company paid $45 million according to the Tribune.
Also, Amazon has fully leased the redevelopment of the former Maywood Park Racetrack which is now called the Chariot Logistics Center. The racetrack was demolished in 2019 to make way for the three-building, 623,000 square foot industrial park spanning 55 acres in Melrose Park.
An article in Block Club Chicago states that the online retail giant is taking over an abandoned warehouse at 1260 N. Kostner Avenue. The project has the support of Alderman Emma Mitts, who said it will give the broader West Side a much-needed economic jolt after a difficult year.
"In addition to bringing much-needed jobs and opportunity for under and unemployed local residents, it will also inspire renewed hope to already disadvantage neighborhoods further recently ravaged by the economic shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic."
37th Ward Alderman | Emma Mitts
Two other large developments are also taking shape in West Humboldt Park. They are:
- Development firm IBT Group is building a $50 million creative office campus at 1334 N. Kostner Avenue
- The city is looking for developers to redevelop the former Pioneer Trust and Savings Bank site at 4000 W. North Avenue and 1616-38 N. Pulaski Road. Plans call for a cultural and community hub and a 100 percent affordable housing complex for local families
Amazon is expanding at breakneck speed to keep up with the shopping surge brought on by the pandemic.
The global company signed 21 new leases in the Chicago area last year according to real estate services firm Colliers. It also hired more than 15,000 people in Illinois last year (a 72 percent jump over the previous year) and opened six fulfillment centers and delivery stations across the Chicago area.
However, Amazon's plans to open a facility in West Humboldt Park is getting mixed reactions from local residents.
Some residents are disappointed that the company and Alderman Mitts didn't host a community meeting before making their announcement. But Alderman Mitts' spokesperson did say that they are planning to host a community meeting soon.
Other residents are in favor of any project that will inject new life into their neighborhood which still continues to see a lot of crime in the area.
DataBid is currently reporting on this project - Amazon Distribution Facility West Humboldt Park - Chicago (0008062321)
