NorthPoint Development has ceremoniously broken ground on a new $164 million industrial complex that would span 196 acres and generate more than 1,300 jobs on the Southeast Side, according to a City of Chicago news release.
“As Chicago continues to strengthen its economy, the City is working to ensure each of our neighborhoods grow with us,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. “Today marks the latest investment in the Southeast Side that will leverage its skilled labor force and create more jobs and more opportunities for this community while keeping us on the cutting edge of a dynamic industry.”
Starting with a 360,000-sq. ft. industrial building on the 12200 block of South Burley Ave, the project’s six structures will range from 215,000 to 600,000 square feet. Combined, they will provide 2.3 million square feet of space to accommodate up to 10 manufacturing, assembly, and distribution-oriented tenants.
(Despite the declaration of the project as a “groundbreaking”, no building permits have been issued recently in this block, according to Chicago building permit data.)
“NorthPoint is bullish on the 10th Ward, the City of Chicago, and the State of Illinois. We are excited about what is happening here, and we appreciate the opportunity to be part of it.” CEO Nathaniel Hagedorn said in the statement.
The new campus will be located adjacent to NorthPoint’s existing 2.8 million-sq. ft. supplier park that serves Ford’s nearby Torrence Avenue assembly plant.
The complex will be supported with up to $52 million in TIF assistance to help pay for environmental remediation, roadway improvements, infrastructure upgrades and other eligible project costs. The TIF assistance will be provided following project completion and be subject to ongoing occupancy, employment, and other requirements associated with the assistance.
Located within South Deering’s Calumet Industrial Corridor, the site was previously used for steel production starting in 1901 by Republic Steel, which merged with LTV Steel in 1984. The steel mill closed in 2001.
The complex is expected to create 650 temporary construction and 660 permanent jobs when fully occupied.
