Chicago Seeks Developers for Lots it Owns Near United Center

As the United Center’s owners gear up to begin construction on its $7 billion redevelopment, the city of Chicago is looking to peak developers’ interest in more than a dozen surrounding vacant lots.

Four clusters of city-owned land, totaling 19 lots, were opened for requests for proposals in August. They are mostly along West Madison and West Fifth streets near East Garfield Park in the Near West Side, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The city is focusing on these lots as part of a broad push for more West Side infill, officials from the Department of Planning and Development told the outlet. The RFP specifically identifies neighborhood amenities, residential and employment opportunities to build momentum off of the 1901 Project, the name of the United Center redevelopment plan.

Developers have until Sept. 30 to submit questions, and proposals are due by the end of October. The city suggested in the RFP that residential proposals should include an element of affordable units that line up with the Affordable Requirements Ordinance, but did not specify an amount per development.

Three clusters are to the south of United Center along Madison Street. The city identified those lots as best for mixed-use retail and multifamily development. A fourth cluster along the 2900 block of West Fifth Avenue was suggested for residential development in the RFP.

Other pieces of the infill puzzle are coming together in the area.

Earlier this year, plans for a new CTA Pink Line station near the United Center moved forward, though funding mechanisms still need to be ironed out. The train station, proposed for Madison Street, would serve as a crucial addition to the neighborhood’s infrastructure, improving access to one of Chicago’s busiest areas and providing much-needed connectivity for residents, commuters and visitors. The parcels are also near other transit options, including the Damen Green Line L stop. The Illinois Medical District, a major employment hub, is also nearby.

The 1901 Project includes plans to build a 6,000-seat music hall, 1,300 hotel rooms and 9,500 apartments. The mixed-use megadevelopment is being spearheaded by Michael Reinsdorf, owner of the Chicago White Sox and Bulls, and Danny Wirtz, whose family owns the Blackhawks.

— Eric Weilbacher