Land Sales, Incentives Approved for North Lawndale ‘Missing Middle’ Projects

Sixteen multi-unit residential buildings will be constructed in North Lawndale through the sale of 12 City-owned lots and financial support approved by City Council today.

To be constructed by minority developers Sunshine Management and Beauty for Ashes LLC, each of the two market rate projects are part of the Department of Planning and Development's Missing Middle Infill Housing initiative, which is incentivizing the redevelopment of vacant City lots with walk-up buildings that have gone "missing" due to decades of disinvestment. Each completed building will be sold to at least one owner-occupant as part of the initiative's community wealth-building goals.

The $13.2 million Sunshine Management project on the 1400 and 1500 blocks of South Spaulding Avenue and 3200 block of West Douglas Boulevard will replace seven vacant lots with 11 three-flats. Consisting of 36,090 square feet and valued at $164,849, the lots will be sold for $1 each.

The $6.7 million Beauty for Ashes project on the 1400 and 1500 blocks of South Christiana Avenue will replace five vacant lots with five three-flats. Consisting of 15,593 square feet and valued at $77,966, the lots will be sold for $1 each.

Additionally, $150,000 in City bond proceeds will be provided to each developer for the construction of each unit within each project, ensuring purchase prices are commensurate with market rates.

For more information, visit the Missing Middle website.