Development Opportunities

While Park Forest is a planned community that has received multiple awards and recognition for land use, planning, and programs, there is a misconception that the Village is “built out,” when there are several significant development and redevelopment sites available. Park Forest encourages you to read further about the locations and opportunities for new development within the Village’s corporate limits.

 Park Forest/Lincoln Highway Metra Station Transit-Oriented Development
In Jan. 2008, the Village Board adopted the Concept Plan for the 211th Street Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and updated the TOD plan in 2012 following the completion of an Implementation Study. This Plan encompasses a 10.9-acre development site within the Village of Park Forest, as well as development sites within the Villages of Olympia Fields and Matteson. Park Forest’s development site includes an existing 458-space parking lot, a 2.4-acre Village-owned parcel, and a 4.42-acre privately-owned parcel. The Village recently demolished the vacant building at 3200 Lincoln Highway and is currently marketing the shovel-ready site. For quick facts about the property, see TOD Sales Flyer. The subsequent Implementation Study provides additional background that may help a developer/buyer with their due diligence.

 DownTown Park Forest

DownTown Park Forest is a vibrant Central Business District and nexus for a myriad of community events held on a regular basis. DownTown events, activities, and festivals draw 200,000 visitors annually. There are four strategic locations for redevelopment, ranging in size from under an acre to nearly five acres. The following DownTown Land Sales Map provides information about the sites. Additional information about the vicinity can be found here.

 Gateway

At the corner of Main Street and Western Avenue, Dollar General recently built and opened a 9,100-square-foot store. Adjacent to the new Dollar General store is an available 2.25 acres, which can be divided if needed. With nearly 21,000 vehicles a day (combined Western Avenue and Main Street traffic) passing by the location, this site is ideal for retail, restaurant, and service uses.

Lot adjacent to Chase Bank
With nearly 10,000 residents and more than 80 businesses within 1/2 mile, this site would be ideal for fast-casual restaurants to meet the needs of the nearly 6,000 people who work or visit DownTown Park Forest on a daily basis.

Lot at the NW corner of Cunningham and Main Street
The newest residential subdivision abuts this site. Legacy Square, designed and built by Bigelow Homes, the 2005 National Builder of the Year, was built to New Urbanism standards, with eye-level height porches, narrow streets, shared green space, and adjacent to a bustling Central Business District. Bring the Village of Park Forest your idea for new residential, multi-use, or mixed uses.

Industrial Development
Bigger isn’t always necessarily better. Location. Location. Location. Just 7 miles from CN’s Harvey intermodal are several vacant land lots and an existing industrial building. Conveniently located to I57, I80, US Hwy 30, and I394, these sites provide easy access to suppliers, vendors, and shipping. Public transportation is also convenient for your employees.

Residential opportunities
With nearly 23,000 residents and over 8,700 occupied residences, Park Forest is committed to maintaining and growing the variety of housing stock available to our residents. The Village completed a Homes for Changing Region Study and Strategic Plan for Land Use, which together provides direction to acquire and demolish blighted homes in town.

Infill lots
Park Forest’s neighborhoods are diverse, with a mix of single-family, multi-family, owner-occupied, rentals, cooperatives, and townhomes. Following the housing crisis, the Village secured financial resources to acquire and demolish vacant, blighted houses. There are nearly 60 lots available for residential redevelopment in stable, welcoming, vibrant neighborhoods.

 Acreage at the corner of Indianwood and Orchard Drive

Just under 5 acres are available for redevelopment. The Village seeks a developer for a multi-family residential development that is consistent with the vision for the DownTown.

Land on Western Avenue

There are three sites available on Western Avenue. 2330 Western Avenue and 14 Acres at 26th Street and Western, are owned by the Village of Park Forest and are located in Cook County. The third site, the former Ricketts property, is in Will County.