Chicago City Wire

Seventeen multi-unit buildings are proposed for construction in North Lawndale, involving the sale of 16 city-owned lots and additional financial support. Mayor Brandon Johnson presented this proposal to the City Council today.

The development will be undertaken by Westside Community Group and Citizens Building a Better Community LLC as part of the Department of Planning and Development’s Missing Middle Infill Housing initiative. This initiative aims to redevelop vacant lots with walk-up buildings that have disappeared due to years of disinvestment. Each completed building will be sold to at least one owner-occupant, aligning with the initiative's community wealth-building objectives.

Westside Community Group plans a $6.5 million project on South Drake and Trumbull avenues, replacing eight vacant lots with nine market-rate three-flats. These lots cover 30,000 square feet and are valued at $104,322 but will be sold for $1 each.

Citizens Building a Better Community LLC is set to undertake a $5.9 million project on South Trumbull and Homan avenues and West Douglas Boulevard, replacing eight vacant lots with eight market-rate two-flats. These lots span 26,598 square feet and are valued at $116,800; they too will be sold for $1 each.

Furthermore, $150,000 from city bond proceeds will support the construction of each unit within these projects to ensure purchase prices align with market rates.

North Lawndale is part of the pilot phase for Missing Middle housing, with three more multi-family projects awaiting City Council introduction. Developer applications are open for 54 available Missing Middle lots in Chatham, South Chicago, and Morgan Park.

For further details, visit the Missing Middle website.