The Evergreen Parker

If the Deal for the Plaza is Really Dead, It's Time to Regroup

Actually, it's been time to regroup since the first strip mall renderings were made public, but now, perhaps, an opportunity has presented itself

Bruce Provo, president of the entity that owned and operated The Plaza shopping center, told the Southtown Star on Monday Aug. 6 that a deal to acquire the struggling property out of foreclosure and redevelop it has fallen through. GMX Real Estate Group, in conjunction with the Janko Group, was to buy the mortgage on The Plaza, effectively taking control of the property, which is in foreclosure and under receivership. Neither GMX nor Provo returned calls made Tuesday, Aug. 7, seeking comment. If what Provo told the Southtown is true, that would seem to put The Plaza back at square one in terms of a turnaround plan. On its face, that sounds like a significant setback for The Plaza, and for village officials eager to hit the reset button on …

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The Plaza: A Look Back on Where We Stand and What's Ahead

Read through all of Patch' coverage on the past, present and future of Evergreen Plaza.

For many years the retail and business backbone of Evergreen Park was the Plaza Shopping Center. Visitors from nearby communities would flock to the stores with shopping lists and spending money.  In recent years vacancy rates have risen and the former shine of the retail hub has dulled. Evergreen Park Patch recognizes the important role this area plays in the community and has been committed to providing you with updates and answers. We look forward to doing more of the same. Now is your chance to become reacquainted with our past coverage. Take a look at these past posts, and let us know what questions you have and what stories you think should be told. VIDEO: Making The Plaza Development a 'Destination' Residents Dream Out Loud for the …

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VIDEO: Making The Plaza Development a 'Destination'

At our open forum discussing the proposed redevelopment of The Plaza Shopping Center, resident Tim Moran talked about the unique opportunity that the intersection of 95th Street and Western Avenue presents.

As residents dreamt aloud about the future of The Plaza Shopping Center's redevelopment, resident Joe Moran, who grew up in Evergreen Park, pointed out what "unique opportunity" the location presents for villagers and developers. "Ninety-fifth and Western is uniquely situated,” said Moran, since the intersection is served by both the CTA and Pace bus systems and is the gateway to both Chicago and Evergreen Park. The property presents the opportunity for a true destination, he said. Moran reminisced about a bustling Evergreen Plaza that helicoptered Santa Claus into the mall and as a place where people went "accomplish a variety of goals." Watch our video and join the conversation. Check back with Patch for continuing coverage of the ideas …

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Residents Dream Out Loud for the Future of The Plaza

Thursday, residents had their voice heard about development ideas for The Plaza Shopping Center. Read what some of them had to say, then add your suggestion in the comments.

Updated, June 29 5:59 a.m. We'd like to thank everyone who came out to support our second forum, both in-person and virtually through our live blog. What makes for sustainable development? What types of stores do residents want in-town? What would set Evergreen Park apart from other municipalities? How can we bring this to The Plaza's space? These were all questions raised--and answered-- at our discussion. As Patch has covered the topic there has been an overwhelming amount of comments suggesting popular commercial developments such as Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. On Thursday, we dug a little deeper into what made those developments so attractive, as well as unique ideas that weren't presented before. We are now in the process of …

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Editor's Notebook

Catch Patch Editor Renita Young on WVON-AM Radio

This morning, your Patch editor will be on WVON-AM Radio in Chicago talking about Patch's forum exclusively on The Plaza Shopping Center. Tune in!

Word has spread far about our second forum Your Village, Your Vision II focusing exclusively on the re-development of The Plaza Shopping Center! Join me on WVON-AM 1690 radio as I tell Chicago all about it. I will be on the Perri Small Show during the 10 a.m. hour discussing our plans for tonight, and will be on live-in studio Friday morning for a post-event wrap-up. Listeners may tune in on the radio, online at www.WVON.com, or on your smart phone iHeartRadio application. Join the conversation! Like Evergreen Park Patch on Facebook and tell your friends about our forum.

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The Evergreen Parker

It's Time to Make Your Voice Heard on What to Do with the Plaza

Patch's Community Forum on the Plaza re-development is this Thursday. Where will you be?

There used to be – and maybe there still is – an old signboard ad for The Plaza on a building near the 99th Street Metra station in Beverly. It reads "the plaza IS the place. 95th & WESTERN." The sign is old and the boards are buckling in places. It obviously harks back to an earlier time when the Plaza was The Place. When I saw it, it reminded me of those faded mural ads for long-gone stores that you see on buildings in Chicago. Like the Boston Store "ghost sign" on the north façade of the 1 North Dearborn building (which, in fact, used to be the Boston Store). They are reminders of times gone by, happier times for some. While they last, the faded signs are also reminders that times change, and often there is no going back to the way …

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This Week Patch Presents Your Village, Your Vision II

Our second forum is finally here! Catch up with the latest news about The Plaza Shopping Center, and if you can't make it in-person, sign up for our live blog.

We're just three days away from our second forum Your Village, Your Vision II, hosted by our Evergreen Parker, Chris Clair, and couldn't be more excited for the ideas that will come from you and our neighbors across Western Ave. All ideas are welcome for open discussion about The Plaza redevelopment, so we want to encourage you to come out and participate, no matter what your suggestion or vision for the mall may be. But before you come, catch up with the latest news on The Plaza redevelopment. Do bring your suggestions, but be informed about the current situation. Get a chance to read up on recent news articles, and find out what your neighbors had to say about the redevelopment before our event. Meet us at The Well, Jacob's Well Church …

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