Chicago Construction News staff writer
A prime transit-oriented development site near the 95th/Dan Ryan intermodal station in Chicago’s Roseland neighbourhood has been made available for redevelopment proposals, city officials announced today.
The Department of Planning and Development, working in collaboration with the Chicago Transit Authority, is seeking proposals to purchase and redevelop the 2.5-acre property at 12 E. 95th St. The site is being marketed for a high-density, mixed-use project that capitalizes on its proximity to the transit station, Abbott Park, Chicago State University and other nearby amenities.
According to the request for proposals, potential buildout scenarios include multiple buildings with up to 135 housing units and at least 38,000 square feet of retail space, along with parking and publicly accessible open space. Proposals that include for-sale, owner-occupied housing in two- to six-unit buildings may qualify for up to $5 million in financial assistance through the city’s Missing Middle infill housing initiative. Additional incentives may also be considered, depending on the proposal.
Responses to the RFP are due by Monday, May 4.
The L-shaped site, valued at $748,477, was previously occupied by several auto-oriented businesses and has remained vacant since being cleared roughly five years ago. The land is owned by the CTA and is being offered for redevelopment as part of the city’s broader 95th Street Corridor Plan.
Adopted by the Chicago Plan Commission in February 2025, the plan is intended to guide transit-served improvements along 95th Street between Cottage Grove Avenue and Halsted Street.
“The site is a tremendous opportunity for transit-served investment at a major transit node, especially involving the area’s need for more senior housing, more Missing Middle housing and more retail,” said DPD Commissioner Ciere Boatright in a statement.
The 95th/Dan Ryan station serves more than 20,000 daily rail and bus passengers, while 95th Street carries more than 33,000 vehicles each day, according to the CTA and the Illinois Department of Transportation. Construction on a five-mile extension of the CTA Red Line south of the station is expected to begin later this year.
RFP submissions must be made through the city’s ChiBlockBuilder land sales portal. Applications will be evaluated on factors including the proposed development concept, the development team’s financial capacity, relevant experience and ability to complete projects of a similar scale.
A pre-submission webinar is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, with registration available through Zoom. Additional information, including the full RFP and application materials, is available at Chicago.gov/RFPs.
City officials will also host a one-year update on the 95th Street Corridor Plan, including an overview of the RFP, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Endeleo Institute, 901 E. 95th St.
