Seventeen multi-unit buildings would be constructed in North Lawndale through the sale of 16 City-owned lots and additional financial support proposed to City Council today by Mayor Brandon Johnson.

To be developed by Westside Community Group and Citizens Building a Better Community LLC, the projects are part of the Department of Planning and Development’s Missing Middle Infill Housing initiative, which is incentivizing the redevelopment of vacant lots with walk-up buildings that have gone “missing” due to decades of disinvestment. Each completed building would be sold to at least one owner-occupant as part of the initiative’s community wealth-building goals.

The $6.5 million Westside Community Group project on the 1600 and 1800 blocks of South Drake and Trumbull avenues would replace eight vacant lots with nine market rate three-flats. Consisting of 30,000 square feet and valued at $104,322, the lots would be sold for $1 each.

The $5.9 million Citizens Building a Better Community LLC project on the 1400 and 1500 blocks of South Trumbull and Homan avenues and the 3300 block of West Douglas Boulevard would replace eight vacant lots with eight market rate two-flats. Consisting of 26,598 square feet and valued at $116,800, the lots would be sold for $1 each.

Additionally, $150,000 in City bond proceeds would be provided for the construction of each unit within each project, ensuring purchase prices are commensurate with market rates.

North Lawndale is part of the Missing Middle pilot phase, with three additional multi-family projects pending City Council introduction. Developer applications are currently being accepted for 54 available Missing Middle lots in Chatham, South Chicago and Morgan Park.

For more information, visit the Missing Middle website.