About the Ward   >  Economic Development

Through the cooperation between the Alderman's office and the local community, economic development in the 36th Ward has boomed, creating thousands of new jobs for ward residents.

In the past four years, many new businesses have taken ownership of rundown or vacant properties, replacing former eyesores with welcome new community amenities.

Brickyard Shopping Center 

Emblematic of this transformation is the revitalized Brickyard Shopping Center, the largest redevelopment project in the nation which has created 2,000 new jobs and brought $6 million dollars in new tax revenues to the area.

The nearly 600,000 square foot shopping center features numerous top tier retailers including Lowes and Target, whose Brickyard Shopping Center locations are among the most highly ranked stores in the country.

Radio Flyer

Radio Flyer, located at 6515 W. Grand, recently underwent an eleven million dollar redevelopment project to expand and beautify its facility. Known as the "Home of the Little Red Wagon", the company employs approximately 90 people from the community. Alderman Banks worked extensively with the company on this project, and is proud that this beloved company still maintains a facility within the 36th Ward.  

Other major new or expanded businesses in the 36th Ward include:

• 15 New Banking Facilities
  
  
• Walgreens
  renovating several outdated locations and opening new facilities at North and Mobile Avenues and Belmont and Oak Park Avenues
  
  
• Office Depot
  replacing a vacant factory at Grand and Fullerton Avenues
  
  
• Home Depot
  replacing a vacant factory and radar facility at Grand and Oak Park Avenues
  
  
• Clover Hill Bakery
  replacing vacant Joseph's Lumber at Narragansett and Belden Avenues
  
  
• Pep Boy's Auto Center
  replacing vacant auto building at Grand and Oak Park Avenues
  
  
• Del Rey Farms
  replacing vacant property at Bricktown Square
  
  
• Auto Zone
  replacing vacant site of Montclare Theater at Grand and Neva Avenues
  
  
• Maria's Mexican Restaurant
  located on formerly abandoned property at Cortland and Harlem Avenues
  
  
• Applebee's Family Restaurant
  new location at Grand and Normandy Avenues
  
  
• 2 new Starbucks locations, one with drive-thru service