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Work Underway at 1313 Morse Pritzker Project Site; Storefronts Demolished

By Linze Rice | August 3, 2015 1:13pm
 Crews were demolishing existing storefronts at 1313 W. Morse Ave. Monday.
Crews were demolishing existing storefronts at 1313 W. Morse Ave. Monday.
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Craig Gernhardt

ROGERS PARK — Wrecking crews were on hand Monday afternoon as storefronts along a vacant strip mall were demolished to make way for a recently approved 45-unit residential building and parking garage owned by billionaire local developer Col. Jennifer Pritzker at 1313 W. Morse Ave.

Fronts of the store facades had been removed and the building was in the process of being gutted as officials make way for the controversial neighborhood project.

Originally slated to offer 50 units, developers at Pritzker-owned Tawani Enterprises slightly revised their plans to swap out studios for more spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments.

The new building will sit directly across from Mayne Stage, also owned by Pritzker.

They also added more "beautification" details to the building's front facade, like plantar boxes and a wider glass entrance.

Many residents complained Tawani's design lacked retail space at the ground-level; however Ald. Joe Moore (49th) said he stood by his position that available commercial space does not always necessarily equate to a thriving business district.

In place of the vacant strip mall will be an 8-story residential building with three floors of parking. [Craig Gernhardt]

Some residents said they wanted commercial retail space available on the building's first floor, but Ald. Joe Moore (49th) said he doesn't believe that's necessary. [Craig Gernhardt]

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