Stations Seen As Development Catalysts

CHICAGO-Two neighborhoods on the far South and West Sides are banking on police stations to at least buoy, and possibly kick-start, development. Two-story, 43,000-sf district police stations are on their way to 1901 W. Monterey Ave. in the Morgan Park neighborhood as well as 5701 W. Madison St. in Austin after a favorable plan commission recommendation.

Several community groups in the Morgan Park and adjoining Beverly neighborhood mobilized quickly in recent years when the antiquated police station at 1830 Monterey Ave. was faced with the possibility of extinction, city department of planning and development officials say. Construction of the new station gives police officers a lockup, women’s facilities and technology the old building lacks, they say. It also will provide parking for 325 cars, rather than the current 30, which forces police personnel to park on side streets.