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Ogden Redevelopment Hits Infrastructure Snag

CHICAGO-Three developers, one of them proposing a $63-million mixed-use project over a nearly one-mile stretch in North Lawndale, all want something the city is not prepared to offer: infrastructure improvements.

By Mark Ruda | Updated on September 15, 2005

CHICAGO-While all three redevelopment proposals for 60 scattered sites along Ogden Avenue in the North Lawndale neighborhood were deemed unacceptable, they had one more thing in common. All three developers asked the city to provide infrastructure improvements along a stretch of Ogden Avenue from Albany Avenue to Pulaski Road.

After issuing a request for proposals in April for mixed-use redevelopments, department of planning and development officials fielded 80 requests for applications, then met with 30 potential developers in May, a month before bids were due. However, the only bidders were TRLS LLC, Holsten Development and Lawndale Christian Development Corp., reports Joseph Lopez of the Department of Planning and Development. “None satisfied the goals and objectives of the RFP,” says Lopez, adding the department will likely continue marketing the parcels but will consider adding tax increment financing to help pay for infrastructure improvements.

The city had land write-downs, Enterprise Zone funding, department of housing incentives as well as new market tax credits on the table, but they apparently were not enough. Holsten Development proposed a $63-million redevelopment project that would include 200 residential units, but required city financial assistance that would pay for 52% of the cost, Lopez says. Likewise, Lawndale Christian Development Corp. also sought tax increment financing to pay for a project that included market-rate financing, he says. TRLS’ proposal did not meet the department’s design guidelines, he adds.

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