Five finalists have been revealed for the city’s Missing Middle Infill Housing initiative across Lawndale. Split into six clusters/zones of vacant city-owned lots, the initiative looks to subsidize the construction of 99 for-sale homes for the middle class in an area that has long seen rampant disinvestment and 15 percent population loss in the last decade.
Chicago is known for its diverse neighborhoods, but it is also a city of 50 wards, each led by an alderperson with their own agenda. As 2025 begins, the city is grappling with budget issues, population growth, and rising crime perception, while aldermanic prerogative—where each alderman has veto power over development in their ward—adds another layer of hurdles to solving these challenges. We’ll examine this issue today through the lens of two major residential projects currently stuck in bureaucratic red tape, including Old Town Canvas, which was blocked by Alderman Brian Hopkins just yesterday.
Additional funding has been announced for the next phase of the Lathrop Homes redevelopment around 2712 N Hoyne Avenue. The money comes in the form of an enlarged TIF pool recently approved by the city, increasing the project’s TIF funds up to $60 million. This next phase will focus on the southern end of the former housing project.
The Chicago Plan Commission has approved the latest plans for ‘The Free To BE Village’ at 4427 N Clark Street in Uptown. Originally pitched over a year ago, the project will rise on the corner with W Sunnyside Avenue and replace a vacant lot, parking lot, and one-story commercial building.
A potential groundbreaking date has been announced for the mixed-use Morgan Park Commons at 11420 S Halsted Street in Morgan Park. Sitting on the northwest corner with W 115th Street, the project will redevelop a long-vacant Jewel Osco and its parking lots. We last covered the project in 2022 when it was announced before stalling until now.
