Redevelopment projects for vacant businesses planned

A car dealership and a motorcycle shop could be among the redevelopment projects at vacant buildings in the south end of the Gladstone Park commercial district.

The former Gateway Chevrolet showroom, 5371-73 N. Milwaukee Ave., and the unoccupied Gladstone Plaza shopping center, 5218-36 N. Northwest Hwy., are under contract to be sold. In addition, Riders Needs, which specializes in motorcycle sales and repairs, is moving to a former auto parts store at 5396-98 N. Milwaukee Ave.

A new car dealership reportedly is being considered for the Gateway property, where a plan to build a senior housing project was dropped 2 years ago. The sale of the property could close within the next 6 weeks, according to the real estate company handling the sale.

The showroom measures 23,400 square feet. Also for sale are two of Gateway’s former storage lots, at 5360 and 5381 N. Milwaukee Ave., totaling about 18,200 square feet. All of the properties are zoned C2-1, which allows vehicle sales.

The sale of the 37,000-square-foot shopping center at Northwest Highway and Foster Avenue is contingent on the developer securing tenants, according to Alderman John Arena (45th). The prospective buyer has a track record of signing national tenants, Arena said.

Previous tenants at the property have included Popeye’s Chicken, Burger King, Goodyear Tires, Nancy’s Pizza and Subway Sandwiches. It is zoned for manufacturing uses, and a zoning change may be sought for the project, Arena said.

Also in the area, a 7,800-square-foot parcel with a 6,000-square-foot building at the southwest corner of Milwaukee and Manila avenues recently was sold to the owners of Riders Needs, which currently is located at 3826 W. Montrose Ave. The former site of an auto parts store is zoned B3-1, which allows indoor vehicle sales and repairs.

Also in Gladstone Park, a dental office and a law office are opening at 5491-93 N. Milwaukee Ave., which has undergone extensive renovations in the past year.