Two new residential developments are being considered for vacant lots in Bucktown, which could add 60 apartments to the area. The proposed buildings would be located about 200 feet apart on the 1800 block of North Winnebago Avenue, close to Milwaukee Avenue and near the Western Blue Line stop.
At 1801 N. Winnebago Ave., developer Lester Lis is seeking to rezone a parking lot next to the Blue Line tracks from manufacturing to residential use. The plan calls for a four-story building with 30 apartments—nine studios and 21 two-bedroom units—and 23 parking spaces. Red Architects is working on this project.
“That lot has been sitting for a long time — it’s outdoor storage, cars and whatever else for many years,” said Mike Lesger, an attorney for Lester Lis, at a recent community meeting. “We’re asking to rezone this to allow for a residential building.”
The other proposed development is at 1820 N. Winnebago Ave., currently used informally by neighbors as a dog park. KMW Communities LLC plans to build a five-story building with 30 apartments—four studios, 22 one-bedrooms, and four two-bedrooms—and six parking spaces. Eckenhoff Saunders Architects, Inc. is collaborating on the design.
An environmental study revealed soil contamination at this site due to its history as an auto repair shop and gas station. The developers discovered an underground tank that is leaking and have committed to cleaning up the site.
“We did a sonar test and soil sample test and found that there is an 8,000-gallon tank underground that’s leaking, which we would remediate,” said Bill Waller, principal at KMW Communities.
Both proposals were presented at a community meeting hosted by Alderman Scott Waguespack (32nd) at Pulaski Elementary School. The alderman’s office is gathering feedback before making decisions on the projects; rezoning approval would require support from both the alderman and City Council.
“Both properties have been sitting vacant for a long time,” Waguespack said. “One is being used as an unofficial dog run. The other has been, off and on, a place for dumping cars and other things that haven’t been conducive to the neighborhood.”
Each development plans to make 20 percent of its units affordable to households earning up to $50,400 per year—the equivalent of 60 percent of area median income—for single-person households.
“What’s nice is that the unit mixes are different between the two buildings, so that’s going to give us a variety of affordable housing. They complement each other really well, architecturally as well,” said Jake Waller of Eckenhoff Saunders Architects.
Construction could take up to one year if approved. Because these are transit-oriented developments, residents without assigned parking spaces will not be eligible for ward-issued parking permits.
Some residents raised concerns about increased traffic and pressure on street parking—especially since only six spaces are planned at 1820 N. Winnebago Ave.—despite restrictions on permit eligibility.
“The development overall is good. I think the developers don’t understand the intricacies of the needs and the issues within the neighborhood they’re building it,” neighbor Steven Perry said after the meeting. “Parking is already tough. It’s going to be increasingly worse with 60 more units, despite those units ultimately not being able to get parking permits. It seems a little naive to think people aren’t going to have cars.”
