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Megamall Demolition To Begin Monday, Ald. Waguespack Says

By Mina Bloom | November 25, 2016 12:55pm | Updated on December 1, 2016 9:33am
 The demolition of the Megamall in Logan Square is finally happening next week.
The demolition of the Megamall in Logan Square is finally happening next week.
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DNAinfo/Paul Biasco

LOGAN SQUARE — After months of delays, crews will demolish the Megamall Monday, according to the  32nd Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack.

In a letter to constituents, Waguespack said demolition of the mall, at 2500 N. Milwaukee Ave.,  will make way for Logan's Crossing, a mixed-use development that calls for 240 apartments, a grocery store and a fitness center.

"The development team has been working with the Department of Transportation on traffic and safety concerns and will be following guidelines laid out by CDOT for the demolition on the 2500 block of N. Milwaukee Ave.," the alderman wrote. 

The mall was slated for demolition last spring, but was delayed when the project's developer, Terraco, hit a few "snags" regarding electrical power on the site, according to the alderman's office. 

The $100 million development was first proposed about 1½ years ago and has undergone a few changes during the community review process. It will include two buildings connected by a sky bridge on a 2.7-acre lot.


A rendering of Logan's Crossing.

In addition to the apartments, plans include more than 113,000 square feet of retail space, including a 42,000-square-foot grocery store and 40,000-square-foot fitness center.

The first tenants will move in 1½ years after the start of construction.

In its heyday, the Megamall was the home of an assortment of restaurants and shops selling clothing, cellphones, gym shoes and all manner of tchotchkes. But many say it had been in poor condition and in constant need of repair virtually since it since opened in 1995.

The demolition also means the end of the colorful murals covering the mall. Back in May, about two dozen of Chicago's top street artists took over the entire building as a farewell to the structure.

The artists were told their works would only be up for a week or two due to the demolition, but the delay has allowed for a prolonged exhibition.

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