Damen Silos Demolition Delayed Until U.S. Corps Review

The City of Chicago announced that it has deferred a decision about issuing a demolition permit for the Damen Silos, a long-derelict industrial site on the south bank of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal between South Ashland and South Damen avenues.

"The proposed demolition of the Damen Avenue Silos will require a United States Army Corps of Engineers permit, including a federal review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)," Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said.

"Consequently, the City of Chicago will defer its decision on the demolition application pending the outcome of the federal permitting and NEPA review process," Johnson said.

Silos Auctioned in 2022

In fall 2022, MAT Limited Partnership, helmed by local industrial magnate Michael Tadin Jr., purchased the Damen Silos property by submitting the winning bid in a State of Illinois auction. The state had been trying to sell the property for more than a decade when Tadin bought it.

In addition to comprehensive environmental remediation of the site, MAT Limited Partnership intends to demolish the property's large concrete silos as part of its rehabilitation, a process under heavy scrutiny following the botched demolition of the Crawford Generating Station located about two miles southwest down the canal.

"We understand that the city has an important responsibility to ensure that whatever replaces the Damen Silos is done with the utmost care," Tadin said.

Additional Community Engagement

"We look forward to the process moving ahead through the appropriate permitting and review channels and ultimately bringing forth a development that is part of the area's revitalization," Tadin said.

Johnson said that the city will pursue additional community engagement that might raise environmental issues and highlight mitigation measures tied to the city's review.

"As the owner of the property, we ... will continue to be actively engaged with the community and all interested stakeholders," Tadin said.

Ed. Note: MAT Limited Partnership owner Michael Tadin Jr. is a co-owner of MAT Asphalt, a Sponsor of the McKinley Park News. For information about our editorial and sponsorship operations and policies, see our About Us page and the Letter from the Editor "Building a Trustworthy News Business."