Construction fencing lines the former Marshall Field's parking lot outside the Park Forest Village Hall, signaling the beginning of site preparation of a new multi-family apartment complex.
The development known as Access South Cook officially closed last Friday, and site preparation is underway. Based on discussions with the developer, the Village understands that construction will start soon. Assistant Director of Economic Planning & Development Andrew Brown said the project will be an asset to the community.
"The development will transform the parking lot into a highly energy-efficient, all-new construction housing development," Brown said in the email. "It will comply with Enterprise Green Communities 2020 building standards, feature Energy Star-rated systems, and meet Zero Energy Ready Home Certification standards."
Located at 364 South Orchard Drive, Brown said the 44 residential units, including 24 one-bedrooms and 20 two-bedrooms, will be universally accessible for people with various disabilities. Additionally, he noted that the site would be designed with landscaping that complements the natural prairie grass across the street at Village Hall and includes "state-of-the-art" storm water features for the first time in Park Forest.
The project has been conceptualized for over two decades. In 2002, the Village policy was for Park Forest to have more residential development constructed DownTown on the northeast corner of Indianwood Boulevard and Orchard Drive.
That same year, the Board approved the DownTown Master Plan, which called for condominiums to be built there. Six years later, in 2008, the Village's Strategic Land Use and Economic Development Plan adopted a policy to zone the area for single-family homes.
In late 2021, IFF, the developer, approached the Village about the potential for a development there. Over the past two and a half years, the Village and IFF worked on entitlements and conditions for the development to succeed, and construction is forthcoming.
To see what the future project will look like, click here.