Lincoln Parks Marcey Street Towers Clear Zoning Hurdle After Reduction In Unit Count, Parking

The Chicago City Council’s zoning committee approved a proposal to build two apartment towers in Lincoln Park, following a year of community resistance and project adjustments. The current plan includes 590 residential units and 147 parking spaces, a reduction from earlier proposals of 615 units and 275 parking spots. Alderman Scott Waguespack, who initially opposed the project, now endorses it after Sterling Bay made concessions, particularly regarding affordable housing. The full City Council is set to vote on the proposal, which has been in development since it passed the Chicago Plan Commission in June 2024. Sterling Bay aims to invest $350 million in the project, emphasizing its potential benefits for housing in the affluent Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Concerns about the towers' height and traffic impacts had previously stalled the proposal, but community engagement has fostered new support. Waguespack criticized the developer’s request for tax breaks linked to affordable housing but has since softened his stance. The development's future remains uncertain as Sterling Bay also navigates challenges with its larger Lincoln Yards project.