by Melanie Jongsma
LANSING, Ill. (December 11, 2018) – Three Village-owned properties along Torrence Avenue are slated for demolition in an effort to improve the Torrence Avenue corridor in anticipation of potential redevelopment.
Village Administrator Dan Podgorski says the blue house at 17817 Torrence is not only in poor condition, but it is a residential property located in a business zone. The structure will be leveled and converted to a municipal parking lot that will serve the businesses in that area, relieving parking congestion in the alley and neighborhood to the east of Torrence.
The properties at 17955 Torrence (formerly a hot dog stand) and 18001 Torrence (previously South Side Control Supply Co.) will also be demolished. They will be included in a larger grouping of properties along Torrence that will be offered for redevelopment in the future. “For reference,” says Podgorski, “think of what Munster did with the former Carpetland USA site [on Calumet Avenue].”
At the November 6, 2018, meeting of the Village Board, the project was awarded to Alliance Demolition, who had submitted a bid for $44,640.00. Their bid includes not only the three buildings on Torrence, but also the storage units on Henry Street, which were removed in November, prior to the tree-lighting ceremony scheduled in that area.
