Retail, apartment development proposed for controversial vacant lot in Ukranian Village

RDM Companies seeks zoning change for lot at 2405 West Grand Avenue

Ukranian Village (Blockclubchicago)
Ukranian Village (Blockclubchicago)

A five-story retail and apartment development could be coming on a vacant lot in Chicago’s Ukrainian village after a proposed gas station got scrapped last year.

Chicago real estate investment firm RDM Companies is seeking a zoning change to mixed-use from manufacturing for the lot at 2405 West Grand Avenue, according to Block Club Chicago. The building would include ground-floor retail and 40 apartments ranging from studios to three bedrooms.

The site would feature six off-street parking spots for retail customers and residents, an issue of contention for some neighbors. For transit-oriented development, the city allows developers to build less parking than is typically required.

“Parking is going to be a massive issue for a 40-unit building,” said neighbor Scott McKenna. “Being close to the Metra station is great if you want to go Downtown or you want to go to Elgin or wherever that one goes. That’s it — you know, this is not the CTA that goes to different parts of the city, right outside our doorstep.”

While McKenna said he hopes to see more parking spaces with the development, he mostly supports the project, especially compared with a gas station that was proposed in 2021.

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Developer Zafa Hussain, operating under the name Cubby Mart Inc. wanted to install three gas pumps and a one-story convenience store but faced strong opposition from neighbors citing concerns about the impact on air quality and traffic safety. The lot is two blocks from Smith Park and about four blocks from Mitchell Elementary School.

Hussain backed out of the project in December following a petition that received more than 200 signatures opposing the development. The site has sat vacant since.

An in-person community meeting, that will provide an updated plan with more parking spaces, is planned for this spring, according to Alderman Walter Burnett of the 27th Ward. The project will need approval from the Chicago Plan Commission and a final green light from the Chicago City Council before breaking ground.

[Block Club Chicago]