Chicago is calling on developers to submit redevelopment proposals by Jan. 5, 2026, to help transform up to 486 vacant city-owned properties into middle-income housing and neighborhood revitalization projects, as part of the city’s latest “Missing Middle” infill strategy.
Officials with the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) said the sites represent prime opportunities to fuel neighborhood revitalization, boost repopulation efforts and build lasting local wealth. Missing-middle housing refers to a category of residential structures between single-family homes and full apartment towers, including duplexes, triplexes, small townhomes or courtyard buildings, that are designed to blend into neighborhoods while increasing housing options.
Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are available for the following sites:
- 63rd and Ashland.
- Former Engine Co. #102 Fire Station.
- Woodlawn/Washington Park vacant city buildings.
At 63rd Street and Ashland Avenue, the city is offering developers a unique redevelopment opportunity: eight city-owned parcels plus an adjacent Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)-owned parking lot, all positioned near the Green Line station. The available lots vary in size — from about 21,350 to 115,000 square feet — and together they carry a tentative valuation of $487,150, contingent upon the recommended B3-3 zoning designation.
The RFP envisions mixed-use development, which may include residential units over retail, neighborhood-serving commercial space, or other compatible uses. Because the site is transit-adjacent, the city expects proposals to leverage walkability, connectivity and design features to support healthy, active streets. Interested developers will need to follow city standards for scale, streetscape and public benefit elements, all while meeting financial viability under the established zoning and parcel constraints.
Built in 1915 and located at 1721-23 W. Greenleaf Ave. in Rogers Park, the historic former Engine Co. #102 Fire Station is being offered for commercial re-use. The city has set its pre-development valuation at $350,000, subject to confirmation under a B3-2 zoning recommendation. Because of the building’s age and character, adaptive reuse proposals that preserve the historic fabric while introducing appropriate new commercial uses are especially encouraged.
Several former municipal properties in Woodlawn and Washington Park are up for redevelopment, including the old Engine Co. #63 fire station at 1417-19 E. 62nd Place, a former Street & Sanitation facility at 6401-07 S. Evans Ave. and the old Betsy Ross School at 6034 S. Wabash Ave. Among them, the fire station, erected in 1915, is appraised at $440,900. Officials are seeking proposals for adaptive reuse that respects each building’s historic character.
The DPD has pre-submission webinars scheduled for each property. Interested developers can register now on the DPD’s website. The Engine Co. #102 Fire Station webinar is scheduled for Oct. 17, the 63rd and Ashland webinar will be on Oct. 21 and the Woodlawn/Washington Park webinar is on Oct. 29.
As the Jan. 5 deadline approaches, the city expects competitive responses that balance feasibility, community value and design standards. Selected proposals will move into review, negotiation and approval phases before breaking ground.
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