The property owner of 2900 N Western has proposed building a modern warehouse that would bring two new companies to our service area.
The project would generate many economic development benefits for the neighborhood. These include forty-to-fifty new head-of household jobs, an investment of $14 million by the property owner, and a strong consumer base for nearby small businesses.
Industrial jobs on average pay $84,000 annually plus benefits; it’s expected the project will have an over $4 million impact on the local economy.
It’s exciting to see an industrial project proposed that complies with the underlying zoning and would strengthen Chicago’s industrial base.
The property is in the Addison Industrial Corridor just south of the former Lakefront Roofing and Supply site. The proposed warehouse would be close to industrial users such as WasteNot Compost, Vosges Chocolates, and Century Plating Company.
A major reason that Chicago’s economy can navigate economic downturns is our strong industrial and manufacturing base. Industrial jobs do not require advanced degrees, help build community wealth, and spur the creation of jobs in other industries.
So where does the project currently stand?
The property owner recently held a public meeting. Alderman Rosa (35th Ward) is taking public comments until Oct. 30th.
During this meeting, some nearby residents expressed concerns; however, they chose to live near an active industrial corridor and the project complies with the underlying zoning.
It’s not unusual for NBW to see conflict between industrial and residential land uses. That’s a major reason that we advocate strongly for keeping residential and industrial land uses separate.
North Branch Works strongly supports this project and encourages our member businesses and supporters to contact Lucio and ask the Alderman to approve it.
Please write a message of support to Lucio, 35th Ward via lucio@aldermanrosa.org.
Image credit: Western George LLC
