By Andrew Schroedter
(Crain’s) — In a move that could spur development on a Rogers Park parcel that has long been a neighborhood eyesore, the site of a former synagogue is going up for sale, with a lofty price tag of $4.8 million.
The 20,800-square-foot property at 1233-1243 W. Pratt Blvd. could be rezoned to accommodate up to 52 residential units, said Susan Silver, executive vice-president with Chicago-based Millennium Properties R/E Inc., which is marketing the now-vacant land. The temple closed in 1999.
But Alderman Joe Moore (49th), who for years has sought to have the site redeveloped, said the asking price was "unreasonable."
"C'mon, give me a break," Mr. Moore said.
Ms. Silver declined to comment on Mr. Moore’s criticism of the asking price, but said she expected strong interest from developers.
"It's an interesting piece because there's not a lot of open space in that neighborhood," Ms. Silver said.
The property is still controlled by the remaining members of Congregation Beth Shalom. Ms. Silver said they didn't want to comment.
The members tore down the dilapidated structure earlier this year, after the Daley administration threatened to acquire the property through eminent domain. Before its demolition, the building had been damaged in a fire.
"It had every wild animal imaginable living there," Mr. Moore said. "It was an eyesore and a breeding ground for rodents."
With its membership dwindling, the synagogue closed about eight years ago, he said.
Since its closing, several developers offered to buy the synagogue but the "congregation always backed out" of those deals, Mr. Moore said.
City officials, frustrated by the inactivity, in 2005 had the property included in the Devon-Sheridan TIF (tax-increment financing) district, and earlier this year began the process of acquiring the parcel.
Mr. Moore said that could still happen but for now he's waiting to see if it's sold.
"In my ideal world, they'd come to terms with a developer and the city will not have to get involved," Mr. Moore says.
43 comments:
Single family homes please!
THE MINUTE JOE MOORE OPENS HIS MOUTH THE GOOSE LIVER STARTS TO STINK-
THE MINUTE JOE MOORE OPENS HIS MOUTH THE GOOSE LIVER STARTS TO STINK-
I forgot to mention last week, the Rider buildings (1340 West Morse and 1345 West Lunt) sold for a cool $5.8 million.
I highly doubt at that selling price these are going to be just rehabbed for the low income neighbors of the ward.
I wish regular apartment buildings or single family homes would be built on that spot, but it sounds like the condo barons and baronesses have their plans in place.
Single family homes please!
No way someone pays 4.8 million dollars for that land in order to build single family homes.
Why single-family homes? Single family homes on this parcel would have to cost at least $800K for them to make any sense for the developer.
What I would like to see is a 52 unit bldng, 800 sq ft to 1500 sq ft units as condos, that would possess real architectural distinction.
My own rental on Pratt started as a luxury building back in the 20s, and as a result of being built as such, is today a lovely building with great charm and character you'd have to pay $800K to get in a SF house.
I'd like to see a large bldg that would compliment mine. I'm thinking about 50 largish condos selling in the $350-400K range, which many middle-class buyers can comfortably afford.
Single family houses will be increasingly obsolete in the energy-short future, especially in an intensely urban environment where space close to transit and the lake is at a premium.
Maybe they will tear down the Block building after all and build something taller.
Maybe they won't be able to get 4.8 million anyway. Anyone know the zoning there?
Mr. Moore said. "It was an eyesore and a breeding ground for rodents."
I thought little kevin o'neil lived on Farwell?
by the way... single family homes are incredibly inefficient and unsustainable.
they sound nice in theory, but in reality they are a drain on both city infrastructure (i.e. less taxes) and the environment.
private property, a private owner setting a price for THEIR property
why is an alderman even commenting?
(answer: he works for developers, he is a full-time r/e developer & part-time alderman)
Well if the Pratt parcel has to go condo and not $1.5 mil. homes, I sure hope mostly 3 bedroom units go up. Too much 1 and 2 bdrs around.
Oh yes please....Please build even MOORE condos in East Rogers Park that won't sell! $350-400K range....kids, you have TONS in the $250-350K range that have market times hitting the stratosphere. And if you really think people will pay $400K over there, come over to west ridge where they can't sell em for $315K!
And now all of a sudden Moore is a real-estate expert and knows the value of land? WOW.
Let's hope for a BRAND NEW Dollar Store, Pay Day Loan Office and a Taco Joint!
To Amazed in West Ridge,yes, there sure is a glut of property on the market coast-to-coast these days.
So I don't think anything at all is going to get built till this market bottoms out, which I figure will be around 2009.
But now is the time to begin planning for the next four years, given the length of time it takes to acquire a property, get the place designed and through the permitting process.
I personally hope some developer adds to the glut, fine with me. At some point stubborn sellers will capitulate and we will see some BARGAINS!!!
You know what I'd like to see on that lot? A Trader Joe's with parking above. Any chance of that crazy dream coming true?
please no single family homes,
please some antisprawl housing,
please, please
i hate sprawl.
single family housing
is a waste of land
and is not good for the earth
and ultimately for us.
what people say about save the earth equals save ourselves.
an apartment building would be great
a highrise with a park next to even better,
the tallest building in RP
is 14 stories?
how about a ten story building?
"$350-400K range, which many middle-class buyers can comfortably afford"
Your definition of "middle class" sure is unusual. My partner and I are pretty solidly middle class with good jobs (editor and software developer), and even $200k was a huge stretch for us.
A trader joe's would be f*cking awesome. They would get so much business, there's no way it wouldn't be a good business deal for them.
Hey maybe someone from TJ's is reading this blog and by some miracle TJ's will bye will lot on Pratt. Yeah, right.
Of course, there wouldn't be anywhere for them to park. That lot that's been sitting empty at the North-East corner of Sheridan and Albion (that I was told is owned by Loyola by someone working in JOMO's office so who knows if that's even true) would be a fantastic place for a TJ's.
Miracle's can happen?
they really should just tear those rider buildings down and put up something nice, with businesses on the bottom floor, at least on the morse side since jarvis is more residential in that block.
on a slightly different note, does anyone know what is up with that descartes cafe thats on Lunt that looks abandoned?
lOVE TNE COMENTS ON THIS PARCEL OF LAND-
Just hope none of the aldeman's political donor developers get it and construct another plastic wrap and wall board development-
Bring on the Condo's!
Screw the poor F@^k's that can;t afford to rent here any more.
IT's about time.
Renovate the rider buildings, and sell them just like the ones accross the street from the Hippies at the heartland cafe.
Build a 75 unit condo building where the jews used to pray to their god, and jack the prices up so only rich and well to do folks can afford to live here.
A Trader Joe's is absolutely what this neighborhood needs, but I don't think that's a very good spot for it.
The Rider building on Morse, however, would be a wonderful spot!
Unfortunately, we would need an alderman who is capable of attracting that sort of positive business to our community.
And there's just no money in it for Joe.
Excuse me West Ridge, but nearly lakefront property with parking & CTA train access is quite desirable.
You guys sure are killjoys. A single family home doesn't have to be a McMansion monster. You honestly think everyone wants to live in multi-unit dwellings? Don't we deserve a choice?
Don't throw the babyout with the bathwater please.
We have PLENTY of multiunit buildings here. The scales should be more balanced. And there are ways to have VERY sustainable single family homes.
Yeah, that spot on Morse and Jarvis would be a fantastic spot for a TJs. Sigh. I asked someone at TJs once about them building a TJs in RP, but the cashier didn't seem all that enthusiastic about it. A bit snobby perhaps, though as the neighborhood improves, perhaps they'll see the benefit of expanding to RP. That would be so nice...I wouldn't mind a Jimmy Johns either, though that wouldn't generate nearly as much revenue as a TJs.
As to the comment about building condos in the synagogue lot, what type of building would NOT be sacrilegious, according to you?
A Trader Joe's is already coming to Edgewater six blocks away, at Granville ,it's rumoured, in the new condo bldg going up there, so it's doubtful another will go here. That area is very commercial adnd that would be a great place for it, where we can all shop there easily.
Pratt and Sheridan would not be a good spot for that, right in the middle of a residential block.
A 4-6 story bldg would be about right. Something with real architecture, I hope.
REmember, when you're speaking of the middle class, you're speaking of a wide income range. I'm middle class and also could not afford $400K, but it is a price that, say, a couple going to "move up" housing can afford. A couple with a combined income of $80K-$100K, with equity brought from another dwelling + money saved over the years, can afford that.
Truly high end housing is another thing, and while we have a smattering of it around these parts, you won't see much built because it is affordable by only a tiny fraction of the population.
Remember that most new construction of any quality is very expensive, and as it ages it becomes more accessible. That means vintage and rehabs for you and me, and new stuff of comparable quality for someone with more scratch. Except, of course, that the old stuff is of such high quality and beauty, comparable to the newer things, that even people with megabucks don't scorn it. I'll take a 20s vintage condo with all the millwork intact over a charmless new dwelling any day.
Keep in mind that no one will be displaced by the construction of rather expensive new units on this site, for after all, who was the ratty old synagogue housing before?
Rather, that many more older units will be freed up, to sell for less money than they might otherwise. The more middle and upper middle-priced housing that gets built, the better for everyone. This is what happens as more good homes are built and others age.
Isn't it funny that Don proposed getting Trader Joes here....
Now Joe will do what he does with most things that others have spent time on (if it actually happens) - HE'LL TAKE ALL THE CREDIT!
What ever happened to the park at the end of the block. A place for neighbors to sit, visit, and commune with nature. A santuary away from urban drudgery. My vote is turn it in to a small but accessible Nautre Preserve.
If Trader Joe's comes to the Edgewater-Rogers Park area, it won't be because some politician enticed them here.
It will be because the politician did his or her job well enough for the entire ward for the demographics and business climate of the area to be favorable for such a place.
The politician does not deserve any special credit for doing his or her job well enough that the ward is attractive to a decent business. That is only his job.
I mean, what DO we pay our aldermen $118K a year for? To line their coffers with contributions while making their wards dumping grounds for every criminal lowlife in the city?
north coast, the new building at Grandville & Broadway will have a Staples not sorry to say a Trader Joes. I talked to a person from the sales office as well as a member of the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce.
the north coast: there is no trader joe's going in on that spot. that rumor is not true.
I'm not sure townhouses like the set on the northwest corner of pratt & lakewood would help, and there's no way you're going to get standalone houses on that lot.
A larger apartment building with some common space would fit the character of the block nicely.
Too bad there's no way the synagogue group is going to come close to their asking price today. Should have done this three years ago, guys.
dbt, I'm with you. I'd like to see a truly beautiful 40-50 unit go up there, something like the one Coe intended to build on Howard St.
I'd like to see a different developer do it, and I have a feeling the price of this lot will pretty much blow Coe out of the water, seeing as he is not even building the place on Howard we were shown last fall.
I would just like to see a building with real presence and beauty go up there. Now, I know that it won't hold a candle to what I'm living in across the street in terms of beauty and charm, but if it were attractive and well-proportioned and built of good materials, I'd be happy.
Just please no more mingy little town houses and 6-units built to the minum, I pray.
I'm sorry to hear that a Trader Joe's will not be taking up residence next to the Staples, as I heard would be the case. I'll call Smith's office to see if they know anything else.
> The property is still controlled by the remaining members of Congregation Beth Shalom
This parallels the Lerner property story at Howard & Western. Before the election, Moore attempted to immunize himself from the political liability of some blighted lots by opening a fictional cam of whup-ass on the developers. Moore sends out press releases announcing that the City is pursuing eminent domain. Then, once safely ensconced in office for another miserable 4 years, Moore calls out "Ollie-ollie in-come-free" and the same developers are back! All is forgiven.
Nature Preserve ! A story time for young and old about the nature that lives on despite urban sprawl.
Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation!
Possibly some reclyed running water!
Leave No Child Inside! A place to safely run around and play!
Experience the cool crisp autumn air and watch the leaves play with ones eyes as she paints the leaves a palet full of color. Feel the air, hear nature play a symphony of sound as the wind blows.
Experience the first frost, the first snow and then outside to identify the creatures who may have been out in the preserve before one is out of bed in the eary orning! The members of the Synagogue who are still in control of the property might appreciate a memorial stone in the preserve.
Celebrate the Winter Solistice on a quiet peaceful night with neighbors and nature!
A safehaven for a deer or two that loses its way as they stroll along the lakeside searching for food and become disorientated and unable to find their way back to Calvary Cemetery.
Nature Center! NOW!
I like nature preserves, too, but there is a LARGE problem with that, which is that the city would have to spend about $4MM of taxpayers' money to acquire the property and then more to clean it up and restore it to a condition that would support "nature".
I would personally rather see the city clean up and improve the parks it has, and I don't see much sense in allocating another large hunk of public money to yet another park when Loyalo Park, Edgewater Beach, and numerous other north side parks and beaches are in such sad shape as they are.
You all may have read that we might be looking at an entire series of tax hikes this fall, including property taxes and utility taxes. These are viciously regressive taxes that will hit poor and moderate income people hardest.
Therefore, it is better to let the fate of this property be determined by its current ownership and whoever buys it, according to applicable zoning and land use laws.
Let's add another big taxpayer, not another tax burden.
Let's repair and enhance the ample parks and beaches we already have, that are in such sad shape.
What the heck is wrong with a dollar store?? Does the presence of one indicate urban decay?
I would be more than surprised if a Trader Joe's were to open in Edgewater or Rogers Park. I would expect it to open somewhere in Evanston.
Rogers Park would surprise me but Edgewater would not.
The retail district close to Granville is very healthy and safe, and is my first choice of a place to buy.
The area is friendly, has many major stores and is getting another, and the demographics that support good retail. Also, remember, Trader Joe's is a 'bargain' lifestyle store.
Edgewater from the 5300 block to 6400 block is a much cleaner, safer area than either Uptown with its dozens of sleazy rooming houses or Rogers Park with its known problems.
Prattpangs said: "What the heck is wrong with a dollar store?? Does the presence of one indicate urban decay?"
Excuse me for a moment...HOW MANY MORE DOLLAR AND 99 CENT STORES does the 49th Ward actually need?
There are AT LEAST FOUR--COUNT EM--FOUR within 1/2 mile of my home. And I'm over in West Ridge...how many more does the Ward need on Clark Street or Howard or any other supposed 'shopping district?'
There's a reason why so many people go to Edgewater or Evanston or Skokie or Lincolnwood to shop for things.
But sure, let's keep putting in them fancy dollar stores all over RP and watch that incredible amount of sales tax revenue just flood the area.
Wow!
amazed in ridge, prattpang is just being sarcastic.
West Ridge you are so right-- PrattPrangs is completly cuckoo for those glorious Dollar Stores.
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