Morgan Park Commons Residential And Retail Project Moves 'One Step Closer' To Reviving Vacant Site

The Chicago Plan Commission approved rezoning for the Morgan Park Commons project, which aims to repurpose a vacant grocery store into affordable housing and retail space. The development will include 70 apartments, with 66 designated as affordable, catering primarily to residents earning 60% or less of the area median income. Ald. Ronnie Mosley emphasized the project's significance in revitalizing the area, which has faced 15 years of vacancy. The first phase will feature ground-floor retail, a 2-acre park, and necessary infrastructure improvements, with an estimated cost exceeding $65 million.

Developers will collaborate with the city's Department of Transportation to create new streets and enhance existing ones. The project is expected to establish a mixed-use community in a predominantly single-family home area, thereby creating a new rental market. The site previously hosted a Jewel-Osco grocery store and Halsted Mall, making this development a notable change for the region. Local leaders view the project as a critical step toward addressing housing needs and enhancing community amenities.