As reported in recent issues of the Greater Southwest News-Herald, the fate of Ford City Mall was decided on May 15 when Cook County Circuit Court Judge Leonard Murray ordered the mall shut down at noon on June 22 due to safety concerns not addressed by the current owners, Nandar Realty Group.
Ownership on May 27 announced that an agreement had been reached regarding the planned closure of the main enclosed portion of Ford City Mall, with a target date of June 22. Ownership wishes to clarify that reports suggesting the site will be immediately shut down or demolished are premature and unsubstantiated. Pending the completion of ongoing agenda items with the city, there remains a possibility that operations may continue beyond that date.
Businesses operating within the North Mall are expected to continue operating without interruption.
Ownership appreciates the many tenants, employees, customers, and community members who have been part of Ford City Mall over the years and remains committed to working cooperatively with tenants throughout this transition process.
A proposed warehouse plan for the site has met with strong community opposition as evidenced by the standing-room only crowd that attended the May 23 meeting at the West Lawn Library to address the situation.
The meeting was organized by the recently formed not-for-profit Southwest Action Network, which believes this land should be beneficial to the surrounding communities.
In preparation for the meeting, members of SWAN solicited community input by reaching out in person and on social media.
Andy Garcia, a teacher at Hubbard High School, set up a table at the Hubbard Farmer’s Market and started asking people what their thoughts were. Others stood outside Ford City asking patrons questions like “What are your concerns? What are your thoughts?”
After the initial canvassing and researching, the top five most popular thoughts for the footprint of the main mall at Ford City were:
- A Recreational Center.
- A Park and Green Space.
- Enhanced Retail and Dining.
- Something for Seniors and Families.
- and, based on the prior history of the site, a World War II Aircraft Museum.
Other ideas suggested at the meeting were a Ford City Plaza with a convention center, a hotel and parking garage, a skate park, an open-air mall completely redone similar to Evergreen Plaza or perhaps turning it into a farm through the Urban Land and Access Program as was done with a parcel in the 14th Ward.
Proponents of the warehouse plan have cited the opportunity for more jobs. However, Garcia, who attended a recent meeting concerning the new Amazon Distribution Center to be erected on the site of the former Central Steel and Wire in the 14th Ward, cautioned folks not to be taken in by that.
“Initial jobs are temporary, being completed as the buildings are completed. Facilities, more and more, are run in the dark by robots,” he said. “When asked about jobs with the human touch, we were told by Amazon ‘We believe in embracing the future.”
SWAN member Vanessa Ramirez added some of the main concerns are traffic congestion, noise pollution, air pollution, and loss of jobs due to automated downsizing.
“An important thing to remember,” said SWAN member Alfonso Castrejon, “is that in order for any type of warehouse or industrial plan to be implemented, first the area would have to be rezoned from a B3 – 2 Commercial Shopping District to a M2 – 2 Light Industrial District and this would have to start with Ald. Derrick Curtis (18th).”
There are certainly many more thoughts to be considered and plans to be discussed, but the most important step right now is making sure the alderman, the city, the zoning commission, do not think the Southwest Side of Chicago will be sitting back quietly.
“We need to stay vocal about what our communities want,” Ramirez said.
“You don’t have to live in the 18th Ward to be a part of the solution. Call Curtis at 773-284-5057 and let him know the proposed warehouse plan would be detrimental to the community. The message is simple – Find another investor.”
The next meeting will take place at the Scottsdale Library, 4101 W. 79th Street, on Tuesday, June 9, from 6 to 7 p.m. Everyone interested in the future of Ford City is invited.
My siblings and I have worked at JCPenney for a couple of years. It would be great if they did an open-air mall. Many of the employees there live in the community, many seniors and adults go there to be distressed, and for many Chicago people, that was the only place to go to spend time walking around inside and seeing. For many of us, we will be losing our jobs; for me, it’s sad to hear that many customers are saddened by the closing of our mall.
You are right ! Talk to your friends have them call the Alderman. Make sure he knows how the neighborhood feels.
Building a warehouse would absolutely bring this community down. This area needs a green space or something for the community. I grew up going to Ford City and I’m sad to see it go but unfortunately it was dying. Why can’t black and brown neighborhoods have something nice too? I will be sad to hear that this neighborhood gives up their space to profit billionaires, like the Amazon CEO. Building these warehouses and AI centers in our neighborhoods is exactly what billionaires want. We deserve walkable centers and green spaces in our communities.
I am a long time resident across from the mall. A DATA Center or whatever, across from our neighborhood is a very BAD Thing! Sure, the shopping mall is in bad shape. The mall was sold to dead beat owners. Why should the Neighborhood suffer again!
The proposed owners of the property had ONE meeting with the neighborhood; what are they hiding!!! Questions need to be asked and answered !!!!!!!
Agreed!
I am very disappointed in Alderman Derrick Curtis!
The neighborhood has been lied to since the beginning!!!
I hope he enjoys his financial windfall!
He will need it after the next election.
To bad/So sad !