Property intended for housing or businesses, such as a store, restaurant, or office. This includes mixed-use buildings, which have both commercial space and housing. 

Purchase price: 

• The market value of vacant, City-owned property listed for sale is located on ChiBlockBuilder.com.   
• If the property marketed for sale is a cluster of two or more lots, the market value is the aggregate value of the entire cluster of lots.  
• Applicants for properties requiring a Market Rate Application are expected to offer the market value listed or higher. Purchase offers less than the listed market value may be considered for proposals providing a significant public benefit. 

Name of individual or of business or non-profit

• Individuals must include their full legal first and last name. 
• Non-profits or businesses must include their legal and DBA name as registered with the Illinois Secretary of State. 

Address of residence, non-profit, or business

• Individuals must provide their primary residence address. 
• Non-profits or businesses must provide their physical business address. 

Project description

• Provide details regarding the proposed use and/or physical improvements for the subject property or site. 

Site plan

• A dimensioned and to-scale site plan that labels all proposed physical improvements, distance from lot lines, and any key activity areas is required.  

Project budget

• In addition to an itemization of the project costs, funding for the project must also be identified and secured, as well as any funding gaps. 

Proof of community support

• Any combination of letters of support from residents, property owners, business owners, local alderpeople, and institutions proximate; presentations from community meetings; and consistency with neighborhood plans fulfills this requirement. 

Description of impact on immediate block area and surrounding community

• This should include an analysis of the anticipated benefits as well as speak to anticipated negative impacts or externalities and how they will be mitigated or addressed. 

Purchase offer

• Each application must include a proposed purchase price. With few exceptions, market rate applications are expected to offer the full market value or above for the property. 

Economic Disclosure Statement (EDS) 

• This can be completed online here. Download a PDF copy to upload to the application. 

Indebtedness check

• The applicant must not have any outstanding debts or financial obligations to the City or delinquent real estate property taxes.    
• If the applicant is a non-profit, the indebtedness check is performed on the non-profit organization and its officers. 
• If the applicant is a business, the indebtedness check is performed on all ownership interests of greater than 7.5 percent (7.5%).   

Applications are scored to assess the qualifications of the applicant and for the completeness and readiness of a project. Market Rate Applications will be reviewed and scored based on the overall total points from each of the below categories.

The specific criteria for each category are as follows:   

Proof of experience

Priority is given to applicants who demonstrate qualifications of the development team, proven experience completing similar projects, and capacity to execute the project as proposed in a timely manner.  Rubric below: 

• -5 to 10                Team composition 
• 0 to 5                   Residential Real Estate Developer License  
• -5 to 10               Development Team Experience 
• 0 to 10                 Prior Development Projects 

Capacity and financial feasibility to complete proposed improvements within the agreed timeframe after closing

Priority is given to projects with clear plans and designs, a realistic timeline, and proof of secured funding. Project budgets should include estimated costs for any required site remediation and construction. Rubric below: 

• -5 to 10                Project Readiness 
• -5 to 10                Detailed Budget  
• -5 to 5                  Financial Feasibility  
• -5 to 10                Secured Funding  
• -5 to 10                Proof of Funds 

Community support

Priority is given to projects that can demonstrate community support for the project from adjacent neighbors, community organizations, and businesses in the block area and surrounding community. Rubric below: 

• 0 to 4                    Local Support 

Affordable housing (projects which include residential only)

For projects which include residential as the only use or as part of a mixed-use development, priority is given to projects that demonstrate compliance with the Affordable Housing Ordinance is required. Rubric below: 

• 0 to 5                   Affordable Housing 

Economic impact

Priority is given to projects that can demonstrate a positive economic impact to the surrounding community. Rubric below: 

• 0 to 3                   Local Job Creation/Retention 

Alignment with existing long-range planning efforts in the community

Priority is given to projects that can demonstrate alignment with existing plans (if applicable), either adopted by the City or by the community. Rubric below: 

• 0 to 3                   Plan conformance 

Purchase offer amount

Priority is given to applicants that propose a reasonable purchase price that meets or exceeds the market value listed for the property or properties. Purchase offers less than market value will result in a lower application score, less financial feasibility score, and less project readiness score. DPD may also decide to decline any application with a purchase offer less than market value. Available Points Criteria  

• 0 to 5                   Purchase Offer