CHICAGO-Solo Cup Co. has started construction on a major new industrial redevelopment on the South Side of Chicago, at the former U.S. Steel (USS) South Works steel mill site, paving the way for 1000 jobs and sorely needed economic development in the area.

The $100 million Solo Cup facility will be located on 118 acres of the 573-acre USS site at 3333 East 87th Street. The project will allow the producer of paper and plastic food service items to expand its operations, retain 550 employees and create 450 additional positions. In addition, USS has conveyed to the City and Chicago Park District 17 acres to form the first phase of a new 100-acre lakefront park to be developed at the site. USS has also contributed 27 lots for a new community park at 89th and Mackinaw, located in the adjacent south Chicago neighborhood.

The project has been cited as an unusual example of cooperation between a Democratic City administration – Mayor Daley of Chicago – and a Republican administration at the State level – Gov. George Ryan. The City will contribute $21 million towards the Solo Cup project, mostly from TIF assistance, while the State of Illinois will provide up to $15 million through the Illinois FIRST program for site access and preparation.