Open House This Saturday to Discuss Empty Lot at 115th and Western Avenue

A community open house will take place on Saturday, June 8. The topic of conversation will be the empty lots at 115th Street and Western Avenue. 

The open house will take place at Kennedy Park, 11320 S. Western Ave., from 1 to 4 p.m. Residents can stop by anytime during that window. 

On display will be proposed plans for a usable green space and parking lot that will allow the long vacant property to be utilized by area residents. Ald. Matt O'Shea will offer residents the chance to share their feedback on the possible project. 

The lots have been vacant for almost 30 years and both are owned by the city. Because one of the lots was a former Shell gas station, any structural development on the land would likely require substantial environmental clean up work. 

O'Shea has previously told Patch that there has never been any quality users interested in that space, however he has pursued various possible developers.

Several months ago, we put a question out to readers about what possible uses they would like to see for the vacant space. 

Responses included:

• I think another Park would be very pretty

• Trader Joe's! We need one closer! It's rough having to constantly drive out to Orland for everything!

• A dog park would be nice with separate areas for large and small breed dogs.

• Some kind of athletic center for the kids. Ice arena, volleyball, tennis, gymnastics, something to keep the kids busy and out of trouble.