The area known as Monterey-Vincennes is located in Morgan Park, just south of Beverly Hills on the far southwest side of Chicago. In conjunction with urban renewal plans, several blocks along both Monterey and Vincennes Avenues have been cleared for redevelopment. The University of Illinois Center for Urban Economic Development was retained by several neighborhood groups to prepare redevelopment plans that were economically viable, improved the appearance of the area, and were in concert with local objectives.
This report represents the product of a nine-month study, which included extensive participation by more than a dozen neighborhood groups, discussions with the aldermen, city officials, and private sector chain stores and developers.
We have investigated two types of retail development in the area - a mini-mall of approximately 10,000 square feet gross leasable area, and a larger neighborhood convenience center of approximately 80,000 square feet gross leasable area. The mini-mall would serve a very localized trade area for convenience food purchases, drug store goods, and other small retail purchases. There is adequate demand for the stores which would be located in a mini-mall, as evidenced by the stores which were in the area prior to land clearance. Two sites are available for mini-mall development. Both are adequate, though neither site should be selected solely for its proximity to either Morgan Park High School or the Rock Island commuter station.
A neighborhood convenience center would need to be anchored by a major food store. Discount food chains have expressed interest and should be contacted. A superdrug store and hardware/home furnishing store could be attracted from east of Interstate Route 57 and if stores are patronized by both black and white customers. Detailed square footage recommendations for both types of development are contained in Chapter V.
An illustrative site plan was developed which addresses all of the concepts integral to the project area such as commuter and off-street parking, new residential and commercial buildings, cultural/sports center, vehicular and pedestrian circulation, open space and landscaping requirements.