General RFP Questions & Answers from the March 7, 2023 Community Webinar  

What is the 1769 W. Pershing Road Request for Proposals?
A July 2022 Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is seeking to rehabilitate a vacant, 571,476-square-foot, City-owned warehouse at 1769 W. Pershing Road in McKinley Park's historic Central Manufacturing District complex, with an option to include an adjacent, 3.2-acre site for new construction.  

The RFP's primary goals include the creation of a mix of private uses that foster additional neighborhood economic investment and enhance employment options for area residents, among other neighborhood needs. The RFP was partly informed by CMAP's "McKinley Park Neighborhood Plan" and the C40 “Students Reinventing Cities” competition.  

How can I engage in the process?
DPD held a community webinar on the evening of March 7, 2023. During that meeting all three short-listed development teams presented their proposals. A recording of the webinar is here:  

• https://youtube.com/live/5g_5RNB9GWg

Community stakeholders are invited to complete a survey about the three proposals. An Evaluation Committee composed of City staff and community representatives will incorporate the survey results into a final selection. Access the surveys here:  

• https://bit.ly/PershingRFP  

Are the presentation materials from the March 7 webinar available online?
Find the presentation materials and a recording of the webinar at:

• https://bit.ly/PershingRFP  

What will be the selected team’s requirements to maintain the historic character of the building? Will the building be landmarked?
The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. While the City recognizes that some structural changes may be necessary to retrofit the building for modern uses, all efforts must be made to preserve and restore the historic facades of the building. The City expects the successful team to pursue Landmark status for the building.  

Is community engagement expected or part of the contract for the final selected developer?
Yes, the selected proposal will be required to follow the City’s Planned Development process, which requires a community meeting. Additional engagement may also be required.  

What is the definition of affordable housing?
Housing that is affordable for households earning 60% of the Area Median Income ($62,520 for a family of four) or less.  

Will this project be impacted by its proximity to industry or the asphalt plant?
The successful development team will be expected to install windows, HVAC and other environmental systems and landscaping to mitigate the impact of nearby industrial operations.  

Will the City’s “Complete Street Design Guidelines” be used to provide traffic control and management?
As part of the Planned Development process, the successful proposal will be required to work with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) to review and evaluate proposed circulation plans and traffic estimates. A traffic impact analysis may be required at CDOT’s discretion.