Homes planned for Riddell factory site

A development of 50 single-family homes is planned for the former Riddell football helmet factory at 3670 N. Milwaukee Ave.

“I think this will be well received and become a significant booster to the community,” project developer David Dubin of Dubin Residential said. “This will allow people to stay in the their neighborhood. It will be relatively easy for buyers to obtain financing because it’s single-family.”

Dubin said that the homes would be moderately priced and that size of yards would be typical for the city. He said that he is waiting for several city agencies to review the project and that he expects to announce formal plans in about a month.

A selling point for the homes would be the fact that the site is close to the Grayland Metra station, 3805 N. Kilbourn Ave., Dubin said.

In 2007 the City Council approved a planned development ordinance for the 4.6-acre site that called for the construction of 57 townhouses and 16 single-family homes, but Dubin never built the project due to the downturn in the real estate market. In 2010 Dubin proposed a mixed-use development with 250 apartments for the site, but area residents expressed concern that the development would be too dense.

Riddell moved its headquarters to Rosemont several years ago.