Four commercial strips and the areas immediately surrounding them in the vicinity of 79th Street and Southwest Highway are being studied for feasibility as tax increment financing (TIF) districts, according to city officials.
Department of Planning and Development officials have asked the Community Development Commission for approval to appoint the consulting group Peckham Guyton Albers & Viets Inc., to spearhead the study.
The consulting firm is expected to work with city officials, local residents, the Greater Ashburn Planning Association and the Wrightwood Community Development Corp., according to the area’s alderman, Thomas Murphy (18th).
The areas being studied for TIF designation are Columbus Avenue from Pulaski to Western Avenue, 79th Street from Damen to Pulaski Avenue, Kedzie Avenue from 79th through 85th Streets and Western Avenue from 79th to 83rd.
Currently those strips serve mixed uses that range from coffin manufacturing and print shops to fast food restaurants and residences. Vacant lots and empty retail spaces that dot the area have recently attracted storefront churches and beauty shops along 79th Street from California Avenue to Western.
Murphy says the proposed TIF district will support anticipated Metra developments in the area and will attract commercial, retail and residential developers to targeted areas.
“We are really looking to replace underused commercial property with residential developments such as townhouses and single-family homes,” Murphy said.
“Right now Metra is preparing to open a large parking facility at 79th and Kedzie and we would like to work off of that, bringing in retailers and restaurants to that three-way intersection where 79th, Kedzie and Columbus all meet,” he said.
Farther down Columbus between Lawndale and Pulaski, Metra also has agreed to build a commuter station. Developers have already expressed interest in building residential projects along Columbus Avenue near the planned commuter station, according to Murphy.
