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CHICAGO-A $16-million retail project slated for 115th and Halsted streets will be the first grocery-anchored center in the West Pullman neighborhood in 10 years. In addition to an Aldi grocery store, the 65,000-sf center built by Preferred Development includes a recently opened Walgreens.

The project, which replaces a former Chicago Housing Authority warehouse, vacant bowling alley and two storefronts, was recently endorsed by the plan commission. While a Walgreens is taking a 14,820-sf building in the 800 block of West 115th Street, Aldi will operate a store out of 16,101 sf in the 11500 block of South Halsted Street. Another 28,600-sf, multi-tenant building is slated for the west side of the 6.6-acre site, along a railroad right of way. In addition to Aldi and Walgreens, other tenants have signed letters of intent for 16,000 sf.

"After discussions with a number of retailers, we have finally found partners eager to invest in this community and spark the growth that is necessary for a healthy economy," says Preferred Development executive vice president Thomas Morabito. His company acquired the site in 2004 for $2.3 million.