Description

The Department of Community Development of the City of Chicago is seeking proposals for the redevelopment of a former church and school located at 3914 N. Menard Avenue in the Portage Park community of Chicago's northwest side. The city has owned the property for ten years; it was most recently used as a community arts center. The 14,200 sf building includes an intact church sanctuary with furnishings and stained glass windows plus an attached 2.5 story school. It was built in 1913. There is no on-site parking.

The goals and objectives of the RFP include a preference for adaptive reuse of the building; however, proposals that call for demolition of the property and redevelopment will also be considered. Because of a lack of on-site parking, any adaptive reuse of the building must be one that does not generate excessive parking demand.

Portage Park is a fully developed, stable residential community composed mostly of single family houses. The corner parcel is located one block south of Irving Park Road, a major commercial street. The target price for the property is $325,000. No financial assistance will be provided to the development.

Detailed submission guidelines and requirements are outlined in the RFP document. For more information and to request a complete copy of the RFP contact Denise Roman (secondary contact). Copies of the RFP can be obtained during normal business hours in Room 1003, City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL.

All interested parties are invited to attend a pre-submittal conference that will be held on November 20, 2009 in Room 1003A, City Hall. Questions concerning the RFP will be answered at the conference, and copies of the RFP document will be distributed. The property will be open for inspection on November 13, 2009. Responses are due no later than January 15, 2010.