Manufacturing District Causes Borderline Angst

CHICAGO-Owners on the fringes of the new 907-acre Pilsen Planned Manufacturing District were unsuccessful in attempts to keep their properties off the new map. The plan commission recently recommended approval of the new district along the Chicago River that straddles three wards, effectively preserving the area for industrial use.

The price of the new district could be about $75 per sf, suggests Scott Heidler, current owner of Heidler Hardwood Co. at 2559 S. Damen Ave. “The city is locking down the future value of my land by locking down the future use of my land,” he says.

Owners of the 11.8-acre Crowley’s Boat Yard and 4.6-acre World Paper Storage just west of Halsted Street along the river were among those arguing against their properties being included on the new map, pointing to residential redevelopment on neighboring properties. Access to the properties is limited by low viaducts, restricting truck traffic, and the sites are smaller than what typical users aim to buy, says Matt Lieberman of Equis Corp. “I would not recommend this site to an industrial user, and would suggest they look elsewhere,” says Lieberman, who testified on behalf of the two property owners.