Real Estate & Development News
The dog-friendly area in Chicago's McKinley Park took a definitive step forward on Saturday, August 17, at the official ground breaking for the McKinley Dog Park, a plot for large and small dogs adjacent to the park's swimming pool area. It's also the first dog park on the Southwest Side of Chicago.
"I'm glad it's come to fruition," said 12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas. He noted the role that Tax-Increment Financing (TIF) funds played in funding the park, a cooperative effort that also involved TIF money coordination with 11th Ward Alderman Patrick D. Thompson.
The McKinley Park Development Council has continued to grow with the addition of three new board members and the official designation of the group as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. At its July 17, 2019, meeting, council members elected McKinley Park neighborhood residents Jim Hankes, Mary Carmen Moreno and Faye "Nikita" Wu to the board of directors. Tony Adams and Kara Breems successfully ran as reappointment candidates.
Being formally recognized as a non-profit by the U.S. federal government represents an important milestone for the council, said President John Belcik. "This will help us reach that goal of starting and completing projects that the neighborhood wants and deserves," he said.
Read more: Development Council Expands Board, Lands 501(c)(3) Status
The 3800 block of South Paulina Street in Chicago includes a row of newer single-family houses.The recent sales contract for the home at 3826 S. Paulina St. set a new high price for single-family houses in the McKinley Park neighborhood of Chicago. Selling at $575,000, the home joins several single-family home sales within the past year exceeding half a million dollars.
Five new homes in the 1800 block of West 34th Street sold within the past year for more than $500,000, along with multiple single-family home sales in the 3300 block of South Justine Street and a home in the 1700 block of West 34th Street. All contain three-plus baths and between three and five bedrooms. They are all near other neighborhood residential development and rehabilitation projects.
Read more: Single-Family Home Sale Sets New Neighborhood Price Record
The long-neglected Marshfield Courts lot at 1642 W. 35th St., Chicago, received an overhaul and cleanup, thanks to the efforts of McKinley Park neighborhood artist Juan Chavez and sponsor Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. A program of the beer company's community day outreach, the event on July 13 featured a cleanup of the lot and installation of mural artwork, followed by an evening hangout with DJs, food and drink.
"I didn't understand why or how it was abandoned," Chavez said of the City of Chicago-owned lot. "The Marshfield Courts have been sticking out like a sore thumb since I moved to the area 13 years ago."
Read more: Marshfield Courts Gets Face-Lift with Help from Local Artist
The long-awaited dog park in Chicago's McKinley Park will soon begin construction, and the McKinley Dog Park Advisory Council is getting ready to celebrate and transition to active management of this new community space, said council President Carina Trudell. With construction set to begin in August, the park should be ready for pooches this fall, she said.
"Until recent months our tone was hopeful because we just weren't sure when this would be complete," Trudell said. "Now it's gone from hopeful to confident and prepared."
Read more: McKinley Park Dog-Friendly Area on Cusp of Construction
