Business, Local News

Homewood trustees authorize possible sale of Ridge Road property; mayor provides update on Kedzie TIF

Homewood trustees authorized staff to begin a process for making the corner property at Ridge Road and Harwood Avenue available for development.

Homewood trustees approved a resolution at the June 28 meeting that sets the process in motion for the building at 2052-2066 Ridge Road and 18027 Harwood Ave. to be sold. The village purchased the building as a package deal in April when it also purchased the former Homewood library building at 17900 Dixie Highway as a site for a future village water tower.

Third Coast Development has expressed interest in the property. The first deadline for alternative bids was set at 5 p.m. on July 8, but because of a problem posting the notice, the board will consider revising the deadline at its July 12 meeting. The new deadline would be 5 p.m. July 22. 

If no bids are received by July 22, trustees will be able to direct staff to begin negotiating the sale to Third Coast. 

Third Coast is returning to Homewood after its 2016 attempt to purchase and redevelop the former Triumph Building site at Ridge Road and Martin Avenue stalled. 

HCF Homewood purchased the site in 2019 and is constructing the Hartford Building on that downtown corner.

The property that’s now available at Ridge and Harwood is adjacent to the Homewood train station, making it a key location for transit-oriented development. The village has been promoting TOD for years in hopes of increasing population density downtown as a boost to the economy.

During the June 28 meeting, Homewood resident Nancy Gildart had questions about several proposed redevelopment projects downtown. 

She raised concerns about whether there’s asbestos in the property at Ridge and Harwood or the 17900 Dixie Highway building. Asbestos exposure can cause cancer and lung diseases. 

Public Works Director John Schaefer said he believed there had been some asbestos removed from the Dixie Highway building, but he noted that the site would have to be inspected again before the village demolishes it to construct a new water tower there. If any asbestos is found, it will be removed before work begins, Schaefer said. He expects that project will probably start in about three years.

Gildart also advised the board that she and an architectural historian are exploring the possibility of nominating both the Ridge Road and Dixie Highway buildings for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. She noted that the designation is honorary and would not prevent the demolition of either building, but she thought the village and prospective buyers ought to know.

She asked whether a third project, the development of a residential building on a portion of the village hall parking lot at 2024 Chestnut Road, would have units designated for affordable housing. Village Attorney Chris Cummings said it was too early in the process. The village does not yet have a contract to sell the property and has not yet received plans for a potential project. 

Also during the village board meeting, David Rivera asked for an update on the Kedzie Gateway TIF district, which includes the area around the intersection of 183rd Street and Kedzie Avenue. He noted that Big Lots had recently left the shopping center in the district and he wondered if the village was working to attract new businesses. 

Mayor Richard Hofeld said the village was sorry to lose Big Lots, but he noted that the store relocated to nearby Country Club Hills. 

As for what comes next, the mayor said redevelopment takes time, but there has been progress on a key part of the plan to rejuvenate the area.

“We are in the process of trying to acquire the Brunswick Zone building,” he said. “It’ll take a while. Then we can work with developers for that site.”

The former bowling alley at 3043 183rd St. has been vacant since early in 2015.

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