A long-vacant apartment complex that’s been the source of angst in south Oak Park may soon be back in use.
The sizeable apartment building at 111 Garfield St. has sat unoccupied for years after the previous owner couldn’t finish converting it into condos. It’s become a blight on the community, neighbors say, pointing to the boarded-up windows and overgrown weeds.
A neighborhood group called the South East Oak Park Community Organization has urged the village to take action against Bridgeview Bank, which owned the property after it fell into foreclosure.
According to county property records, a developer bought up the 12-unit apartment building in July for $450,000. The company, Chicago-based Pangea Real Estate, has submitted plans to fix up the exterior masonry and renovate the inside to be used as apartments, according to the village.
A call to the development company was not returned. But Ken Bauer, permits manager for the village, said the building department is reviewing their plans and hopes to issue building permits soon.
“They’re moving through the process. I’m sure everybody is anxious to get that building occupied again,” Bauer said.
Jim Kelly, a board member and founder of the South East Oak Park Community Organization, agrees. He said the property has affected the neighborhood, with uncut grass and poorly boarded windows that have allowed vagabonds to get in. Two board members with SEOPCO hope to meet with the developer in December or January to hear about their plans and voice the neighborhood’s concerns, Kelly added.
“We’re really glad that property is not going to be empty anymore,” he said.