A new four-story, 37-unit affordable housing development is underway on a vacant lot at the corner of Oak Park Avenue and Van Buren Street in Oak Park, Illinois. Boston-based nonprofit real estate developer, The Community Builders, is developing the project with a scheduled completion timeline of spring 2021.
Joseph J. Duffy Co. was selected to provide preconstruction services including preliminary budgets. The construction phase for the “801″ apartments, designed by DesignBridge Ltd., is based on a lump sum contract with Duffy. A brick veneer and cement board siding system will cover a structural steel/light gauge steel/wood-framed building. A 28-car paved parking area, part of which is covered, an outdoor roof terrace, and a multipurpose room complete the project.
The development was approved by Oak Park in October 2018 but was delayed by a lawsuit filed by neighbors against the village in December 2018. Since the lawsuit’s dismissal in late October 2019, the development is moving ahead, filling several roles within Oak Park’s housing community.
“Besides delivering much-needed affordable housing for Oak Park, it is considered a transit-oriented development,” said Joseph Beuttas, vice president of business development for Joseph J. Duffy Co. “The site is located near public transportation, the Eisenhower Expressway and Oak Park Blue Line stop. Another unique feature is the live-work units, which will cut your commute to only seconds.”
According to Kirk Albinson, project manager with The Community Builders, two live-work units flank the building, with one on Van Buren Street and the other on South Oak Park Avenue. The back of those units will have a one-bedroom dwelling unit with space in the front of the apartment that someone can use for a business or retail operation. When completed, an additional three studios, 30 one-bedroom and two two-bedroom units will be available. The ground floor will also house approximately 900 square feet of commercial space plus bicycle storage.
