Possible redevelopment at 5851 N. Milwaukee & 6200 W. Higgins on Chicago’s NW Side

by BRIAN NADIG

Details about the potential redevelopment of two prominent commercial properties in Gladstone Park and Jefferson Park could be formally announced in the next few months.

A frozen custard or ice cream business reportedly has expressed interest in acquiring the 27,000-square-foot Chase Bank parking lot at 5851 N. Milwaukee Ave., but the prospective buyer has not been publicly announced. Chase built a smaller branch on the southern half of the property and is selling the northern portion of the site at Medina Avenue.

“The property is under contract. The contract purchaser has a due diligence period to get zoning approvals,” Peter Graham of CBRE, which is handling the sale of the property, said in an e-mail.

The property is zoned B3-1, which allows for a wide variety of retail, office and restaurant uses. A special use from the Zoning Board of Appeals would be required for a project with a drive-through facility. In addition, the city’s zoning division oversees how new developments adhere to the city’s landscape requirements.

The bank property was recently re-subdivided to help facilitate the sale of the parking lot, legally separating that space from the rest of the parcel.

Meanwhile, Alderman James Gardiner (45th) announced in his Aug. 16 ward newsletter that “my office is making progress to attain the shared goal of attracting a reputable business to fill the vacant space at 6200 W. Higgins (Higgins and Foster).” The site was previously home to a CVS Pharmacy.

In April Gardiner said that he was hoping to attract a grocer to the site. A developer interested in opening a grocery store and possibly a quick-service type of eatery has looked at the site.

“I have carefully listened to your feedback and looking forward to sharing exciting news regarding a potential investor. In the coming weeks, my office will be meeting with community groups and also host a public meeting to allow you to share ideas and suggestions,” Gardiner said in the newsletter.

More than 15 years ago then-alderman Patrick Levar (45th) had the property on Higgins downzoned for low-density, single-family residential use so that the community would have input into its potential redevelopment if the property were ever sold or leased for a non-pharmacy use.

Another CVS, located at 6417 W. Higgins Ave. inside the former Golden Flame Restaurant, is about two blocks from the site and remains open.

Also in the area, the former CVS at 4777 N. Milwaukee Ave. is vacant and for lease. Gardiner has said that it is his understanding that CVS is still paying rent for the Milwaukee Avenue location, where the store closed in 2019, and that the lease runs through 2029.

Also in the area, the former Produce Center (and before that a Guitar Center) at 5820 N. Milwaukee Ave. has been both for lease and for sale in recent years. The parking lot had been used as a COVID testing site, but the building has been vacant for several years.

Also, the former Bank of America at 5468 N. Milwaukee Ave. is for lease.

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