Chicago Fire Department

Rendering of high-rise with fire station. City of Chicago

The City of Chicago recently unveiled a bold plan to replace the long-standing Engine Co. 42 fire station in River North with a modern facility that will also feature a towering mixed-use development above it. This initiative mirrors similar efforts in other neighborhoods, such as West Ridge and Irving Park, where public infrastructure is being combined with affordable housing through partnerships between the city and private developers.

The current firehouse at 55 W. Illinois Street, which has served the community since 1968, is set to be demolished and replaced with a $20.2 million state-of-the-art fire station funded by local developer Friedman Properties. The site will then be transformed into a high-rise building containing up to 614,000 square feet of office and residential space, designed by DLR Group, a well-known Chicago-based architecture firm.

Although a preliminary image of the proposed glass tower was included in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Friedman and the city, the final design is still under review. The city is also open to alternative proposals for the site, with a 30-day window for other developers to submit their bids after the terms of the Friedman deal are made public.

Under the agreement, Friedman would pay $5 million for the existing firehouse and an adjacent alley, while potentially contributing up to $10 million to the Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus program—a fund that supports development in underinvested areas. The site is currently zoned DX-7 Downtown Mixed-Use, and the developer may seek additional zoning rights in exchange for financial contributions to the city.

The project is still in the early stages and will need to go through several approvals, including community meetings, a review by the Chicago Plan Commission, and a vote by the City Council. Officials estimate that the development could generate about $4.4 million in new annual real estate taxes for the city once completed.

A conceptual (and poorly scanned) rendering from the MOU drafted by the city and Friedman. City of Chicago/DLR Group

Thanks Austin & Dennis

Excerpts from chicagobusiness.com:

Developer Albert Friedman has reached a deal with city officials to build a new firehouse for Engine Co. 42 in River North, topped by a large mixed-use and office tower. The project, which would replace the current station at 55 W. Illinois St., marks an unusual collaboration between the city and a private developer.

Friedman, who owns significant property in the area, is financing the $20.2 million firehouse and plans to construct a 614,000-square-foot tower on the site. The development is expected to add more high-rises to the already rapidly growing River North neighborhood, which has seen a surge in both residential and commercial construction.

The project, designed by DLR Group, is part of a broader strategy to boost the city’s skyline while meeting the needs of first responders. It also offers a rare opportunity for developers like Friedman, who can secure prime real estate in one of the city’s most desirable areas.

As part of the agreement, Friedman will pay the city $5 million for the land and contribute $10 million to the Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus program. This funding helps support development in less affluent parts of the city. A memorandum of understanding has been signed, but the city will consider other proposals for the site over the next 30 days.

Friedman Properties emphasized its commitment to the project, stating that it aims to benefit the Chicago Fire Department, neighboring properties, and the city as a whole. While the developer was unavailable for comment, his team expressed enthusiasm for moving forward with the plan.

This partnership could set a precedent for future collaborations between the city and private developers, especially in high-value locations where infrastructure upgrades are needed alongside commercial growth.

Thanks Scott

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