Catalytic Far South Side development Morgan Park Commons approved by Chicago Plan Commission

Catalytic Far South Side development Morgan Park Commons approved by Chicago Plan Commission

Led by the nonprofit Far South Community Development Corporation, new 13-acre mixed-use development will offer hundreds of units of affordable housing and nearly 30,000 square feet of retail, office, performing arts and culinary education space

CHICAGO — The nonprofit Far South Community Development Corporation (Far South CDC) — an organization that provides strategic community-building services to residents and businesses across the Chicago region and statewide — is proud to announce its Morgan Park Commons mixed-use development project has been approved by the Chicago Plan Commission. A construction groundbreaking is planned for Spring 2026.

Located along the busy South Halsted commercial corridor that borders the Morgan Park, West Pullman and Roseland neighborhoods, the 13-acre Morgan Park Commons development will create more than 244 units of rental housing, with 16,000 square feet of retail/office space, 13,000 square feet of performing arts and culinary education space, and 2.3 acres of public parks and outdoor space including pedestrian pathways connecting to the historic Major Taylor Bike Trail and to area public transit.

“Morgan Park Commons is a once-in-a-generation development and investment in the Far South Side that has been years in the making,” says Far South CDC President Abraham Lacy. “We are grateful to our state and city partners, including State Representative Justin Slaughter, Chicago Department of Planning and Development Commissioner Ciere Boatright and 21st Ward Alderman Ronnie Mosley, for their support in moving this catalytic project forward for area residents and businesses. This development will help address the city’s housing shortage and show our communities a renewed commitment to the Far South Side. We look forward to breaking ground next year!”

Phase 1 of the Morgan Park Commons development includes demolition and site development of the entire 13 acres, which was previously a Jewel grocery store and the Halsted Indoor Mall. This comprises underground utilities, public way improvements, two gateway plaza entrances, and the dedication and improvement of new streets connected to the city grid, including South Peoria Street, West 114th Place and the widening and improvement of West 114th Street. Additionally, two mixed-use affordable housing developments totaling 70 units will be built, with ground-floor retail and live/work units that border the South Halsted Corridor.

Chicago-based DL3 Realty is co-developer of Morgan Park Commons with Far South CDC, and the Preservation of Affordable Housing is a co-developer for the first residential phase. The architect is Lamar Johnson Collaborative.

For more information on Morgan Park Commons and other Far South CDC developments in the region, visit farsouthcdc.org.

Far South CDC is currently working on a new South Halsted Corridor Plan. Across from the Morgan Park Commons site, Far South CDC is also redeveloping the Maple Park Marketplace shopping plaza at Halsted Street and 115th Street, including the former Aldi and Walgreens sites. Plans include a new dine-in restaurant, health center and grocery store.

Far South Community Development Corporation (Far South CDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides strategic community-building services to residents and businesses across Chicago’s Far South Side, regionally and the State of Illinois. Far South CDC is one of the largest comprehensive community development organizations in the Chicago region that provides direct residential support, business assistance, and equitable development and planning services. The organization is a voice and advocate for economic, environmental and social justice for residents and businesses. For more information, visit farsouthcdc.org.

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