Ford City Mall redevelopment plans to go before Chicago Plan Commission Thursday
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Plan Commission is expected to take up redevelopment plans Thursday for the Ford City Mall property.
The mall on the city's Southwest Side opened in 1965 and was once home to more than 100 stores.
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But the city of Chicago filed a motion to close it, over concerns of a defective fire suppression system and health and safety issues.
Chicago-based Kurv Industrial wants to turn the property into an industrial complex that would include a public plaza, a new CTA bus stop, and other enhancements.
They have released renderings of what the $200 million development could look like. It's expected to create 185 permanent jobs and 90 construction jobs.
Alderman Derrick Curtis said the proposal has been revised based on community feedback.
But it has received some pushback over concerns of industrial traffic and noise if City Council were to rezone the mall from a shopping district to industrial.
Protesters are expected to rally outside City Hall ahead of Thursday's plan commission meeting.
If approved Thursday, the proposal would still need to be approved by the zoning committee before heading to the full City Council.
