The Shops Of Forest Glen
Comes this question from Linda H. via our “Contact Us” page:
Has anyone heard anything on the development of the ‘Shops at Forest Glen’..how long that will take or if it is even going to happen etc..?
What Linda is referring to, of course, is the parcel commonly known as 5353 N. Elston Ave. Chicago, IL 60630. Since it’s close enough to the homes of our Indian Woods neighbors, it might indeed be interesting to know what’s going on there. I’m sure our Forest Glen neighbors in Jefferson Park are just as eager to find out about the status of this project as well. Here’s what this fairly large parcel of land looks like, at the moment:
Future site of 'Shops of Forest Glen'
5353 N Elston Ave.
A quick peek at the permit that is attached to the chain link fence around this parcel indicates that the wrecking and removal of a 1-story warehouse was permitted on February 11, 2009. Well, that seems to be done and over with. The slate is clean, however, I wasn’t able to find a permit allowing the building of a new structure. And that may be just one of the reasons there hasn’t been any activity here, even though a Bobcat excavator is waiting patiently on the premises. The owner(s) may still be waiting for a building permit. Another theory might be that the current economic climate has not produced enough interest from prospective tenants, although the sign on the property indicates that “Garden Fresh Market” will be the anchor tenant at this property. I don’t have any definitive answer for you, at the moment, Linda. But if anyone does, please feel free to chime in in our comment section down below. In the meantime, I might just put in a phone call to Ald. Patrick Levar’s office to see what info they can provide us with.
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Tags: Neighborhood, Photos, Zoning
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I read an old article about the expansion of Garden Fresh and in the article it states they want to open “in the fall of 2008″. This was referring to the 5353 Elston site. I’d be interested in what you find out from Levar. The area really could use the grocery store, recession or not.
So I called Ald. Levar’s office this morning, attempting to get some (any) information about the status of this project, and got to talk to an otherwise friendly staffer who seemed to be somewhat frazzled (to avoid the term annoyed) about my inquiry. According to the Alderman’s office’s knowledge the project is still moving forward. But they don’t know anything else. Asked whether it was maybe the permits that are causing the delay, she responded that she didn’t know. So, Ald. Levar’s office doesn’t know anything about the details of the current status of this project, but according to them “the project is moving forward”. Well alrighty then.
My next call was to the broker that is marketing/selling the project. His voicemail greeting says he’s out of the country.
Meanwhile, Garden Fresh Market’s website doesn’t make any mention of this location. And they actually do have a website with a press release section where they usually announce their new store openings. No dice.
Sorry, Fred and Linda. I tried. But I’ll try again.
I spoke to the developer about a year ago. At the time, he said there was a problem getting the permit because new Chicago zoning requires the stores to be adjacent to the sidewalk with the parking behind the buildings. The city seems to think this makes the neighborhood more attractive. The developer didn’t like that because it raises safety concerns for shoppers who have to park in a secluded parking lot that is not in view of the street.
I have tried to call more recently, but no one has answered the phone and my messages have not been returned. It’s possible that other issues have arisen during the time it took the developer to fight the zoning issues.
Thanks for the update, Gary. Your experience in trying to get more information about this project seems to pretty much mirror mine: Nobody who would or should know something about this, is willing or able to talk.
On a separate note, 6000 W Touhy, the commercial strip in North Edgebrook, was designed and built in the same fashion that you described: built right up to the street (including a sidewalk) with parking in the rear of the parcel. The parking safety concerns aside, this design is downright dangerous, as we’ve seen from the numerous traffic accidents at 6000 W Touhy.
My take on 5353 N Elston is that sooner rather than later something will have to happen at this site, because every day that this parcel sits there un-improved, it is costing someone money. And nobody likes to lose money.
I’ve been periodically checking loopnet.com for any new information on 5353 Elston. It looks like the layout of the shopping center has recently changed. You can see the layout here: http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/4/6/4/xy_4647254F-4D95-4362-8D9D-32B0C19AA65E__.jpg
This is different from an earlier layout which had the Garden Fresh on the opposite end (near the DMV) and pushed back from the street.
I actually like the idea of having the store adjacent to the street. Foot traffic, to and from the Forest Glen metra stop, would benefit from quick and easy access to the store.
Excellent work, Fred! I had seen this listing on Loopnet as well, a couple of months back, but since I’m a residential Realtor®, I don’t frequent Loopnet as much. In any event, just to add to your layout link, here’s another one from Loopnet: http://bit.ly/5353Elston
The listing reads “Currently Active For Lease” which is in line with Ald. Levar’s office’s message: It’s going forward. I just don’t see anything happening there.
I tried phoning Tony Kahan – the listing agent according to Loopnet. It went to his voicemail, but I did find this on his website in case you are curious to see more renderings:
http://www.kbrealestate.com/pdf/Chicago/5353%20N.%20Elston.pdf
Thank you Jennifer, that’s an awfully nice brochure that you linked to. Now, whether or not these renditions are anywhere close to becoming reality, is the one thing we’re all interested in knowing. I sure hope so. Thanks again for sharing.
New post on 60646 Blog: The Shops of Forest Glen http://bit.ly/I9UcJ
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