Latest News from Chicago City Wire

Tax incentive approved for North Pullman industrial building

By Chicago City Wire | May 22, 2024

A $25 million industrial building will be developed in North Pullman with assistance from a Cook County Class 6b property tax incentive approved by City Council today. Planned for 10330 S. Woodlawn Ave. by Ryan Cos., the 169,000-square-foot structure will include 32 dock stalls, accessory parking, and office space for up to two tenants that have yet to be identified.

North Lawndale industrial building gets $10M TIF aid for redevelopment

By Chicago City Wire | May 22, 2024

A vacant five-story building in North Lawndale has been approved by the City Council for up to $10 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance for its commercial redevelopment. The $40.5 million project, led by the Steans Family Foundation, will renovate the approximately 100-year-old building at 4100 W. Fillmore St., which will be renamed the Fillmore Center.

Officials issue boating season safety guidelines ahead of summer activities

By Chicago City Wire | May 22, 2024

With boating season and summer activities beginning in Chicago, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), the Chicago Fire, Police Departments, Park District, U.S. Coast Guard, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police, and Harbor Safety Committee are reminding residents and visitors to adhere to boating rules and prioritize safety on beaches and pools.

Land sale proposed for commercial project in West Garfield Park

By Chicago City Wire | May 22, 2024

A $5.9 million industrial building is proposed to replace seven adjacent city lots in West Garfield Park through land sales introduced to the City Council today by Mayor Brandon Johnson. Totaling 1.1 acres at 4204-32 W. Lake St., the lots would be sold to developer Lake Keeler LLC for their appraised value of $196,000.

Mayor proposes $28.1 million TIF for improvements at six Chicago parks

By Chicago City Wire | May 22, 2024

The Chicago Park District plans to enhance recreational facilities at six parks throughout the city, supported by $28.1 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance. This proposal was presented to the City Council today by Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Land sales proposed to create two South Side community gardens

By Chicago City Wire | May 22, 2024

A pair of community gardens would be created on the South Side through land sales proposed to City Council today by Mayor Brandon Johnson. In South Shore, 11,720 square feet of vacant City land at 6801 S. Dante Ave. would be sold to the NeighborSpace land trust for $1 for vegetable gardening. The Dante Avenue Farm project, led by farmer Alwyn Walker, includes $40,000 in planned improvements involving raised beds, seating, fencing, a hoop house and a farm stand. Produce from the farm would be made available to local food pantries and restaurants.

City Council lowers occupancy thresholds for high-rise office signage

By Chicago City Wire | May 22, 2024

An amended ordinance approved by City Council today eases the requirements for high-rise office tenants to obtain business identification signs on their buildings' exteriors. Previously, only tenants occupying at least 350,000 square feet or 51% of a building’s square footage were eligible. The new amendment reduces these thresholds to 250,000 square feet or 36%, respectively.

Mixed-affordable housing site to be built in Humboldt Park

By Chicago City Wire | May 22, 2024

Up to $8.7 million in multi-family loan funds will soon finance the new construction of a mixed affordable housing site in Humboldt Park. Developed by Hispanic Housing, the new six-story building is planned to provide a total of 40 multi-family housing units for a minimum of 30 years. The units will be at or below 65% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and will be located in Humboldt Park. In total, the project is expected to cost $30 million.

Mayor proposes tax break for new city recycling facility

By Chicago City Wire | May 22, 2024

Lakeshore Recycling Systems LLC’s recently completed $53.5 million recycling facility in New City would receive a Cook County Class C property tax incentive through a proposal introduced to City Council today by Mayor Brandon Johnson. The 139,496-square-foot complex at 4121 S. Packers Ave. was completed in March 2023 following $1 million in environmental remediation work. The facility employs more than 700 full- and part-time workers.

Austin hospital expansion proposed through city land sale

By Chicago City Wire | May 22, 2024

The planned $20 million expansion of Hartgrove Behavioral Health System Hospital in Austin would be facilitated through a city land sale proposed to City Council by Mayor Brandon Johnson today. The vacant, 0.92-acre lot at 5736 W. Roosevelt Road would be sold for its appraised value of $440,000 to UHS of Hartgrove, which employs 94,000 health care professionals at 400 facilities nationwide.

Landmark status proposed for Hyde Park Union Church

By Chicago City Wire | May 22, 2024

Hyde Park Union Church would be designated as an official Chicago landmark under a recommendation made to City Council today by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. Designed by prominent architect James Gamble Rogers and located at 5600 S. Woodlawn Ave., the two-story, Richardsonian Romanesque-style church was completed in 1906, with an education wing added 20 years later.

Mayor proposes tax incentive for Diaz Group's renovated office building

By Chicago City Wire | May 22, 2024

Diaz Group LLC’s recent $512,000 renovation of a former New City bank into company offices would receive a Class 7a property tax incentive proposed to City Council today by Mayor Brandon Johnson. The project at 5100 S. Damen Ave. was completed in 2023, providing a headquarters for more than 500 landscape industry employees. The one-story building had been vacant since 2015.

Humboldt Park church and residence to undergo substantial rehabilitation

By Chicago City Wire | May 22, 2024

The Humboldt Park United Methodist Church (HPUMC) is set to undergo significant rehabilitation. The church building, along with its attached apartment building, will be remodeled through adaptive reuse to create 10 additional apartments. Developed by LUCHA, the unit mix includes eight studios, eight one-bedroom units, three two-bedroom units, and three three-bedroom units.

Mayor Johnson secures funding for adaptive reuse projects on LaSalle Street

By Chicago City Wire | May 22, 2024

Two adaptive reuse projects on Chicago’s LaSalle Street will receive $70.5 million and $88 million in Tax-Exempt Housing Revenue Bonds, respectively. The first site, located at 208 S. LaSalle, will receive $70.5 million in Tax-Exempt Housing Revenue Bonds. The $122.7 million project features the conversion of approximately 225,000 square feet into 226 residential units, 68 of which will be affordable at 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI). In addition to the use of tax-exempt bonds and the 4% tax credit equity generated from the bonds, it is anticipated that more funding will...

Near West Side bank restoration receives landmark grant, tax incentive

By Chicago City Wire | May 22, 2024

The $53.1 million rehabilitation of the Near West Side’s former Mid-City Trust and Savings Bank into a hotel will receive support through a $1.3 million Adopt-A-Landmark grant and tax incentive approved by City Council today.

John B. Murphy Memorial designated as official Chicago landmark

By Chicago City Wire | May 22, 2024

The John B. Murphy Memorial on the Near North Side was designated by City Council as an official Chicago Landmark today. Located at 50 E. Erie St., the memorial was built in 1926 for the American College of Surgeons (ACS) to honor one of its founders, John B. Murphy, who was a leading practitioner committed to improving the surgical profession and teaching standards.