Orange Line Transit-Oriented Apartments Proposed For McKinley Park

By Stephen Gossett in News on Aug 2, 2016 9:02PM

Transit-oriented developments are emerging left and right along certain stretches of the North Side, sometimes jacking up rents and replacing beloved alt clothiers in the process. Today comes news that at least one commercial real-estate developer has TOD eyes on the South Side, too. Curbed reports that Mark Properties is proposing a rental building near South Archer Avenue and South Leavitt Street, in McKinley Park, just across the way from the 35/Archer Orange Line station.

At four stories, this one would be small compared to other recent TODs. But it would be dense: the proposal calls for 39 single-room units. Monthly rents would run between $700 and $800, according to Curbed. As per usual, the transit-adjacent development would have minimal parking—in this case just three parking spots, for a percentage of less than eight.

Some community members raised objections to the plan when it was presented, at a meeting on July 27, citing parking issues and concerns about a large cluster of tenants in low-cost housing, according to McKinleyPark.org. Developer Dan Mark brought up company policy of credit and criminal background checks to safely screen occupants. Ald. George Cardenas (Ward 12) reportedly touted at the meeting the business-attraction potential of the development.

Representatives from Mark Properties and Ald. Cardenas’ office did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

The proposal would also require a zoning change and should see further community follow-up meetings in the fall, both of which you can read more about at the original Curbed post.