After several years of delays, a key City Council committee has advanced plans for the scaled-back Foundry Park development, previously known as Lincoln Yards. The project site is located mainly east and north of the Chicago River in Lincoln Park, with some buildings west of the river on Elston Avenue in Bucktown. If fully approved by the City Council at its meeting Wednesday, Foundry Park will bring thousands of housing units, retail spaces, and offices to this long-vacant former industrial area.
The development plan includes up to 3,737 dwelling units—comprising apartments, condos, single-family homes, and townhouses—as well as approximately 350,000 square feet of office space and 420,000 square feet dedicated to retail and commercial use. JDL Development and Kayne Anderson Real Estate took over the northern section of Lincoln Yards in July after previous developer Sterling Bay faced setbacks due to the pandemic and other factors.
Alderman Scott Waguespack (32nd), whose ward contains part of the site, supported the revised proposal. He stated: “We have a lot of work to do, I think, with city departments, my colleagues, the neighborhood organizations there, but I think overall … I am confident this will really transform this area.” Waguespack acknowledged transportation remains a challenge but noted ongoing investments such as improved traffic signals and new bike infrastructure.
Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd), who represented part of the site until 2022, voted against advancing Foundry Park. Hopkins cited unresolved infrastructure concerns including congestion caused by construction projects like the closure of Cortland Street bridge. “The traffic jams, the congestion, the detours that are caused by this necessary construction project serve as an undeniable example of the need for additional infrastructure built up in this community right now,” he said. Hopkins also objected that commitments made under Cortland River Tax Increment Financing district have not been met: “My vote of no is an objection to that broken promise.”
In its first phase between Southport Avenue, Kingsbury Street and Cortland Street—four buildings would be constructed. Of 709 total housing units planned in this phase, 95 would be affordable onsite while five more would be built offsite; JDL also intends to pay over $7 million into a city housing fund instead of building an additional required 42 affordable units.
If final approvals are granted quickly enough for permits and planning processes to conclude on schedule—construction could begin as soon as October. Later phases require further city approval for six more buildings south of Cortland Street plus two across the river in Bucktown.
Meanwhile on Tuesday’s agenda was another zoning measure regarding historic homes along Humboldt Boulevard. After years-long advocacy efforts led most recently by Alderman Jessie Fuentes (26th), homes along portions from Humboldt Boulevard/Cortland Street through Sacramento Avenue/Augusta Boulevard moved closer toward landmark status protections. This extension aims both to shield these late-19th/early-20th-century houses from demolition or drastic alteration—and allow owners greater flexibility repurposing their properties.
Fuentes said: “Everything that we’ve done in the 26th Ward around housing has been around preservation of affordability about protecting architectural excellence…from gray stones to…the original house of Jens Jensen on Sacramento Boulevard…I have pleasure seeing every day—we have to protect it.” Notably among protected sites would be conservationist Jens Jensen’s former home at 1141 N. Sacramento Blvd., pending full council approval.
Elsewhere Tuesday—the committee approved Capricor Design and Build’s $24 million proposal for four new apartment buildings at 3746-66 S. Michigan Ave., replacing a vacant Bronzeville lot near Rate Field (333 W. 35th St.). Eighteen out of ninety total apartments will qualify as affordable housing for those earning up to sixty percent area median income; each building will include parking spaces for cars/bikes plus roof decks.
Alderman Pat Dowell (3rd) expressed support: she looked forward “to bringing new housing” where there had been only an eyesore previously.
Two social equity cannabis dispensaries also received zoning committee approval—one planned for West Loop at 1133 W. Van Buren St., converting part of a two-story structure into retail space with seven off-street parking spots; another proposed inside a residential building at 1143-1155 N. Wells St., near Cabrini Green/Old Town areas within Ward 27—with backing from local condo associations citing security benefits via extra cameras/surveillance.
Bio-Pharm LLC operates one dispensary location; it had previously partnered on plans involving Downtown’s old Rainforest Cafe before abandoning those efforts due complications/controversies during 2024.
