City Buys Apartment Buildings Near Metra Station
Oak Forest aldermen approved the purchase of two apartment buildings for a total of more than $1.2 million. The city hopes the step is the first of many to reestablish interest in the area near the Oak Forest Metra station.
Oak Forest has two new apartment buildings to call its own after a move by aldermen Jan. 22.
Aldermen voted to purchase a 16-unit building at 15659 S. Lamon Avenue and a 24-unit building at 4820 W. 157th Street for $475,000 and $744,000, respectively.
The move is the first in a plan to reestablish interest in Oak Forest, said Community Development Director Adam Dotson.
“Today, is the day that we've made the decision, or we will make a decision, whether to go one way or another, is to tell the investment community that we are looking for reinvestment,” Dotson said. “The only way we're going to do that is that the city is going to start taking steps to show the investment community that we want change to happen, so we are successful in the future.”
The California-style apartment buildings were purchased in the hopes that businesses and families will flock to the area in the future, Dotson said.
“These two particular properties play a key role in what we're trying to get done near the train station area,” Dotson said. “That is, attract residents that need this type of transportation, as well as the quality housing that we're looking for to come here in the future.”
Alderman Rich Simon said that he was happy to see the purchases go through, adding that he has been waiting for some time for the city to make this move.
“I've been looking forward to starting programs like this for a lot of years,” Simon said. “This is a good start. … It's a good start and I think the residents in Oak Forest can look forward to us doing a lot more like this as time goes on.”
SomeGuyNamedEd
6:58 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Jeff, when you get a chance, can you do a follow-up story and let us know what exactly Oak Forest intends to do with these properties? The benefits to be realized by the community?
Rick T
10:13 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
That still leaves two more. All those buildings need to go before interest is generated. Are there plans to buy those other two dumps?
Mike Ziak
10:15 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Good start, should have been done years ago before any development happened around there. There's three more properties right next door to these. Is the City going to buy these as well? I hope the next targets is the trailer park and the 2-story apartments on 159th, near the tracks.
Personally, I would hope that the plan is to tear those buildings down instead of trying to get new tenants into there.
Good move City Council, good move.
Darnell
11:10 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Knock them down and put in higher end condos or townhomes. Walking distance the train? You can ask a pretty penny for them and they would sell easily! Now work on the trailer park and all the section 8 housing in the other apts!
Richard DeVries
11:30 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Does anyone live there now?
Michael M.
11:32 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
I have been to these apartments to deliver food to residents through the St. Damian food pantry. What is the plan for the people living there? I know many are lower income and need assistance. What is the plan for the property? There will need to be improvements to the property if the goal is to have higher end residents and property.
Tired of the B.S.
2:23 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Don't worry about what will happen with these apartments or the currant residents.
Adam Dotson has a plan.
Look at how much progress has been made with the property (formerly Numero Uno's) that the city purchased on Cicero Ave. The improvements made by the city must have investors looking to purchase that property flocking to Adam's door. (where is the sarcasm key?)
It would be nice if our city government stopped trying to be a real estate company and concentrated on improving our city and maybe lowering our taxes.
Tom S
9:42 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Our taxes will never go down until the city finds new revenue sources I.e. additional business revenue. Even then, the likely scenario is that they stay flat.
HAMMER
5:47 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The city has 1.2 million dollars to spend ! I thought they were broke. This must be why my taxes keep going up. I pay way to much to live in a town that only does what benifits it's city council members and not it's citizens! Don't get me wrong it is nice to see that some of the slums will be torn down but lets see if it actually brings in money and lowers are taxes. I guess I can only hope since you can't sell and move because you'll never get what you invested.
Richard Simon
10:18 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
I only wish we could have started with the ones on both sides of 159th & Leclaire. They are the ones most visable to developers coming into town. I have them on my wish list for the future. The ones we bought were within our means, and are a good start. Remember, every dump we take down is also a reduction in the crime rate.
Darnell
9:06 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Ah the tenants!
They will eventually be given notices of eviction, with a time limit to vacate. Then they can do, like any other tenant in an apartment building, rented home, that is being either remodeled or razed. Begin looking for another apartment. Just like many of us did, when we lived in apartments, or rented houses and received eviction notices. I'm sure if the need arose on their part, they would have no qualms about trying to get out of a lease or just picking up and moving at leases end, for whatever reason. However in this instance since the property is now municipally owned, I think it would be in good faith for Oak Forest to assist in seeking replacement housing should eviction time come. But i as a taxpayer would draw the line at that. You know there those that are going to want their belongings moved for them, monetary compensation or those just wishing to make a scene to get their 15 minutes of fame with MAYBE a 30 second interview in the media!
Happy Camper
11:22 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
Check the video on the cities web site under Watch CIC-TV and look for "Destination Oak Fores" from October 28, 2011 (currently page 18). I think this gives you a pretty good idea of what the city hopes to achieve. If you don't want to watch the entire thing you can go to the 8 minute mark.
Darnell
4:09 pm on Saturday, January 26, 2013
2 comments missing on this topic. Are we practicing censor ship here?