Mayor Richard M. Daley today introduced six ordinances supporting affordable housing and business investment that will help enhance the vitality of our neighborhoods and encourage economic expansion.

“We are committed to ensuring our families, seniors and those with special needs have opportunities to live in decent, safe and affordable housing, as well as supporting opportunities for economic growth,” Daley said. “We will continue to
work together to build stronger communities that offer more opportunities and a higher quality of life for all residents.”

Phase I – Redevelopment of Former U.S. Steel South Works Plant

The next ordinance authorizes up to $98 million in TIF assistance for Phase I of a plan to redevelop the northern portion of the former U.S. Steel South Works plant in the City’s South Chicago community.

The $397 million redevelopment project includes remediation work to make the site suitable for new development and investment in new infrastructure, including new streets and other right-of-way that will extend the existing street grid into the development area.

Plans call for the location of the former steel facility on the Southeast Side to be redeveloped in phases into a mixed-use development. Phase I of the proposed 87-acre lakefront site, to be developed by Chicago Lakeside Development, LLC,
will include over 840,000 square feet of retail space and up 984 units of rental and for-sale housing in the 7th Ward.

When complete, the multi-use site is expected to create close to 1,000 permanent jobs in a new neighborhood that will feature residential, retail and commercial properties. Construction on Phase I is expected to begin in 2013.
The overall project will also create 1,500 temporary construction jobs.

Pete’s Fresh Market
Also introduced was an ordinance that approves the sale of City-owned land for the development of a full service grocery store in the City’s Near West Side community.

JD Real Estate, LLC plans to cons truct a 55,000 square foot Pete’s Fresh Market with an additional 11,200 square feet of retail space at the intersection of West Madison Street and Western Avenue

The full service market will offer a large variety of products and services, including a deli, meat counter, bakery and produce departments and other general merchandise to area residents. The store will provide the community with the ability to do their daily shopping close to home without having to travel miles to buy groceries.

The $18.4 million development is expected to employ 120 full- and 30 part-time individuals and create up to 100 temporary construction jobs. Features will include a green roof, landscaping and onsite parking.

Hope Manor Veterans Housing

The first ordinance authorizes the sale of vacant City-owned land for $1, $1.5 million in loans and the fee waivers for a proposed development to provide housing with support services for 80 homeless veterans on the City’s West Side.

West Side Veterans Housing, LP plans to construct, Hope Manor Apartments, a four-story building at 3053 West Franklin Boulevard that will include 30 studios, 10 two-bedroom and 10 three-bedroom units. Plans call for each unit to be fully furnished and all utilities to be included in the rent. Nearby parking will also be a part of the project located in the 27th Ward.

The $14.4 million development, the first-of-its-kind intended exclusively for homeless veterans in Chicago, will offer substance abuse and other support services for homeless veterans suffering from chemical dependency, post traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses. Residents will also be offered job training, case management and legal assistance to transform their lives.

Independence Apartments

The next ordinance authorizes a $3.1 million loan agreement and fee waivers for the construction of Independence Apartments, part of the Homan Square Redevelopment plan in the City’s North Lawndale community.

The $8.8 million development, to be built by Homan Arthington Foundation, will bring 42 units of rental housing in a structure with seven attached six-flats designed to look like one building.

The building, to be constructed at 927 South Independence Boulevard in the 24th Ward, will feature a mix of 21 one-bedrooms, 15 two-bedrooms and six three-bedrooms and include 33 affordable and nine market-rate units. Rents for the 792 to 1,400 square foot units will range from $354 to $1,225.

The exterior of the building will match the design of other buildings in the redevelopment area with fiber-cement siding and a brick base. Green features will include energy-efficient windows, high-efficiency furnaces and Energy Star appliances.

Roseland Village Intergenerational Apartments

Another ordinance authorizes a loan agreement, the conveyance of three Cityowned parcels and fee waivers for the construction of Roseland Village Intergenerational Apartments in the Roseland community.

The proposed 10-unit complex, to be developed by Neighborhood Housing Services Redevelopment Corporation, will be dedicated to meeting the critical needs of grandparents who have taken on the responsibility of raising their grandchildren.

The $3.8 development will feature six three-bedroom units, four four-bedroom units and a 4,000 square foot community/supportive services center. There will be on-site social services, including childcare and access to primary health care.

The project is part of a 3 ½ acre senior campus with three buildings that will allow low- and moderate-income seniors to continue to live and receive vital services in Roseland and the surrounding communities. The campus, located between the 10400 and 10500 block of South Michigan Avenue, will also feature a park.

The City will provide $1.7 million in loans and $144,000 in equity generated from the issuance of donations tax credits. The project is eligible for donations tax credits because of the donation of City-owned land valued at $360,000.

Class 6(b) Tax Incentive

Another ordinance authorizes the approval of a Class 6(b) incentive to help revive vacant industrial property into productive space for an expanded commercial roofing business in the McKinley Park community.

Stout Properties, LLC plans to move its roofing business to Chicago from the suburbs. The business, known as Active Roofing Company, Inc., will relocate to 2100 West 32nd Street in the 12th Ward.

Improvements to the 18,000 square foot building will include new electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems; new windows and garage doors; parking lot improvements and landscaping.

The incentive will allow the company to maintain 30 current full-time jobs and to hire up to 20 additional full-time employees over the next two years.

The Cook County Class 6(b) classification is designed to encourage industrial development by offering a reduced property tax assessment rate for 12 years for the development or revitalization of manufacturing or industrial facilities.