We’ve written several posts over the years about Oakwood Shores, but when dealing with such a massive development, it’s easy to lose sight of the big picture. With the help of a scale model and a couple of large maps, MK Communications president Marilyn Katz and Monica Hernandez from Granite Partners for Oakwood Shores gave an overview of the master plan during a media tour last week.
The 3,000-unit mixed-income development is being built on about 90 acres in Oakland where the Chicago Housing Authority‘s Ida B. Wells and Madden Park public housing projects used to be. Phase 2 of the development is currently under construction.
Lots of talk about Transit Oriented Development.
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This is an area that lacks any commercial base and there is no grocery store. They could have made better usage of the land by building more multiuse developments with more commercial space instead of suburban style homes and townhomes. I think its poor planning and they should have done better.
I don’t think mixed income will work. The CHA is planning to demolish a building on the north side because of low sales and crime problems. If it didn’t work there why do they expect it to work on the south side and why must they add more poverty to the already over burdened with it south side, and a neighborhood thats trying to revitalize. It should be put in the outskirts or the north side, the south side has its fair share already.
futuredoc2012,
Have you been to the area? The last time I was there the Jewel-Osco on 34th St just off King Drive was still selling groceries. Lots of groceries.
Oakwood Shores is, in fact, closer to a major grocery store than most parts of Chicago.
Did you watch the video and note that commercial development is part of the plan?
Are you aware that the north side has a huge number of successful mixed-income developments? Apparently not.
You seem to have started with an opinion / bias and made up the “facts” to support it. Opinions formed in that fashion don’t merit a lot of respect.
You’re right Joe, The Jewel is in the Lake Meadows shopping center. It’s small, but it’s there. WHo knows if it will be enlarged. LAke Meadows is planning to rebuild the whole shopping center as part of their 20 year redevelopment plan. But I’m taking that with a HUGE grain of salt.Those with cars can easily shop on Roosevelt, but even the Jewel at Lake Meadows id a hike from Oakwood.
The Jewel at 34th & King is slated to be demolished and rebuilt as part of the Lake Meadows 20 year plan.
As someone who has lived a few blocks from Lake Meadows for four years, I can say that one of the biggest frustrations of my neighbors is the lack of a decent grocery store and retail in general. That Jewel is an inferior store and the Jewel at Roosevelt & Wabash is benefitting from the Gap & Bronzeville residents.