After decades of disuse, a vacant lot in Chicago's West Lawn neighborhood is finally getting a makeover with the construction of a new Starbucks. The lot, situated at Cicero Avenue and West 64th Street, has been deserted for 40 years, but the coffee giant's groundbreaking on Friday signaled a fresh start for the long-ignored space. "We’re well on our way here after 40 years, so we’re excited to be here and share the great occasion with our community," 13th Ward Alderman Marty Quinn jubilantly stated, according to NBC Chicago.
The city, which took possession of the property in 2006, saw the site's development stymied by environmental concerns tied to its past life as a gas station and by the need to adhere to Midway Airport runway protection zone regulations, which limit building heights to under 19 feet. Addressing these challenges, the city successfully worked to allocate almost all necessary funds for the site to be remediated, finally attracting investors to transform the space into a Starbucks, set to open in September 2024.
Community members are welcoming the development, with Salvador Hernandez, a resident of 18 years, citing the neighborhood's need for growth. "I think as long as there’s an opportunity for growth, I think it’s great," Hernandez told NBC Chicago. The Starbucks location is also expected to benefit from the heavy traffic on Cicero Avenue, which sees an average of 80,000 vehicles daily.
In pursuing the revitalization of the Southwest Side, Alderman Quinn has been keen to attract diverse business ventures to the Cicero Avenue Corridor. "It was worth pursuing this important investment that breathes more life into the community, brings more jobs to the area, and continues to even the playing field between the South and North Sides of the city," Quinn affirmed, in a press release praised by ABC7 Chicago. His efforts have seen the addition of Culver's, Dunkin' Donuts, Lou Malnati's, Manolo's Tamales, and Taco Bell to the neighborhood's growing roster of eateries and shops.
As the neighborhood prepares to welcome its new Starbucks, the development marks a notable turn in a saga of urban renewal and community resilience.
