The largest vacant site in Pilsen, roughly six acres of land, is one step closer to being turned into hundreds of apartments and townhomes after the project was approved by the Chicago Plan Commission on May 18.
The city purchased the vacant lot on West 18th and South Peoria streets last year for $12 million. The plan includes hundreds of mid-rise and high-rise units, many of which will be affordable, as well as for-sale homes on the lot.
City officials who completed a housing needs assessment in the neighborhood found that Pilsen lacks nearly 1,300 rental apartments for low-income residents. This project will hope to fill that gap by providing affordable housing for low-income residents of Pilsen.
What the Project Will Include
The development plan for the Pilsen site lists four phases:
- Phase 1 will include the construction of seven-story residential high-rises along 18th Street. The ground floor of each building will be dedicated to commercial space.
- Phase 2 will see the construction of two residential mid-rises on either side of Peoria Street. The mid-rises will be five stories tall.
- Phase 3 will consist of townhomes and three- and six-flats for sale. The townhomes will be two stories tall, while the three- and six-flats will be three stories tall.
- Phase 4 will include the construction of additional residential high-rises at the northernmost end of the site along 16th Street. The high-rises will be seven stories tall.
The plan also includes a park with a dog park, performance spaces, a play area, and plazas. The park will be connected to the eastern end of El Paseo Trail, a proposed 4.2-mile path that will connect Pilsen to the Southwest Side neighborhood of Little Village.
The project now awaits the approval of the City Council’s Committee on Zoning, before they present it to the City Council for final approval.
The Gentrification of Pilsen
Neighborhoods within close proximity to downtown have one-by-one experienced significant gentrification since the turn of the century. Examples of this include Wicker Park, Logan Square, and Humboldt Park. In Pilsen, increasing rents and property values have forced thousands of residents to leave the predominantly Mexican immigrant neighborhood in the last two decades.
A number of factors have contributed to gentrification in Pilsen. One is the neighborhood’s proximity to downtown Chicago. Pilsen is located just a few miles south of the Loop, and it is easily accessible by public transportation. This makes it an attractive option for young professionals and other city dwellers who are looking for a more affordable place to live.
Another factor contributing to gentrification in Pilsen is the neighborhood’s vibrant arts and culture scene. It is home to a number of murals, galleries, and theaters, and it is a popular destination for artists and musicians. This creative atmosphere has helped attract new residents to the neighborhood.
One of the most significant consequences of this gentrification is the displacement of longtime residents. As property values in Pilsen have increased, many longtime residents have been forced to move out of the neighborhood because they can no longer afford the rising rents.
Community Stepping Up
The original proposal for the vacant lot did not include any affordable housing units. While residents like to see the vacant lots in their neighborhoods put to good use, new and expensive developments often lead to gentrification.
Community meetings around the project pushed for the inclusion of affordable housing units in the new development. For that reason, this project should be a total benefit to the neighborhood and community.
Marisa Novara, a member of the Plan Commission, told Block Club Chicago that the community’s effort to fight back against rising housing costs, “was quite refreshing.”
“We have the appetite to do that and have already done it in other gentrifying neighborhoods. We don’t go around spending $12 million lightly,” said Novara.
Written by Seth Herlinger
Sources:
Block Club Chicago: Pilsen Largest Vacant Site Would Be Turned Into 432 Apartments And Townhomes Under New Proposal
Block Club Chicago: Plan To Build 432 Apartments And Townhomes On Pilsen’s Largest Vacant Site Gets Key City Approval
City of Chicago: 18th and Peoria Development Framework
Yahoo! Entertainment: Chicago Plan Commission approves framework for Pilsen affordable housing boost
Top and featured image courtesy of Seth Herlinger
Inset image courtesy of Sidral Mundet‘s Unsplash page – Creative Commons License
