Redevelopment in Forest Park, IL

[mendelman]

The following series of photos are of a new mixed use building on the main street portion of Madison St in downtown Forest Park, IL. Forest Park is a streetcar suburban place that was bascially built out by 1930. There are two Chicago Transit Authority 'L" lines (Green & Blue) and a Metra commuter rail stop within walking distance of Madison St.

It is a decent and increasingly desireable place to live with lots of new multi-family development and condo conversions and steadily increasing house prices. Plus, it allows for 'bars' to operate as opposed to Oak Park and River Forest (two historically 'dry' towns).

Well, this development (Madison Commons) is a boost to the commercial frontage on Madison St. and adds about 30 or so new housing units, without really affecting the locality.

Here is an aerial of the site from 2002:

The site is in the red box.

The interior of one unoccupied commercial space.

Underground parking for residents.

Behind the ground floor commercial spaces and off the alley is a public metered parking lot.

[wolverine]

I saw this development last week. The detailing is really nice, but the stucco at the top really bothered me. The back looks worse in person. But overall a nice development.