A New TOD Could Be Moving In Next To Belmont CTA Stop

By Stephen Gossett in News on Jul 15, 2016 9:31PM

Another transit-oriented development could be heading to Chicago's North Side, this one in Lakeview, right next to the Belmont CTA station.

Representatives from the development group GW Properties took their proposal to the Central Lake View Neighbors organization earlier this week. Their vision: a six-story, mixed-use building immediately next to the Belmont stop (937 W. Belmont Ave.) with retail on the two lower levels, and residential and/or office space on floors three through six. The developers are reportedly looking for a change to local zoning rules to accommodate the height of the building.

Some of the additional specifics are yet to be finalized, pending consideration of neighborhood input.

The proposed TOD would encompass the vacant lot that runs along the CTA tracks plus the neighboring building, which is now empty. Previous tenant Fashion Tomato moved just east along the same block in April.

Per usual TOD regulations, the building would not have any parking spaces for vehicles. According to a flyer that targets potential retailers, developers are aiming for a summer 2017 delivery.

The site is just two blocks west of the so-called Target Express development, which will become the neighborhood’s first TOD—and if you’re so inclined, the old neighborhood’s final death knell: the space was formerly inhabited by the punk-and-goth outpost The Alley.

TODs have similarly made news in Logan Square and Wicker Park. Nominally intended to increase housing density near CTA stations and provide cheaper rents for non-motorists, some such projects in those neighborhoods have seen rates sharply spike.

[H/T Curbed]