On Tuesday, December 12, the Oak Forest City Council designated a high-profile corner at 159th Street and Cicero Avenue as a Southland Reactivation Act site, which conveys a significant tax incentive benefit to the qualifying project. The newly approved Dunkin’ & Baskin Robbins concept will bring a new restaurant to Oak Forest to a prominent corner that has been vacant for over 20 years.
Oak Forest is the first municipality to utilize the newly created Southland Reactivation Act law (Public Act 102-1010) for a project that repurposes formerly owned city property that has languished off the tax rolls for decades.
“This is an exciting project as we’re utilizing a new economic development tool that was created to spur investment and benefit communities across the Southland right here in Oak Forest,” said Mayor Hank Kuspa. “We’re thrilled that we’ll be able to transform currently non-tax generating property into a new quick-service restaurant with a drive-through facility, which is desirable and the best use of this property. We look forward to advancing other worthy projects in this manner in the future.”
MDAK Realty Oak Forrest, LLC, developers of the approved Dunkin’ & Baskin Robbins restaurant, stated: “We extend our sincere appreciation to the City of Oak Forest for granting us such a crucial incentive under the Southland Reactivation Act, and to the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA) for their invaluable support in this process. As the inaugural developer to leverage the Southland Reactivation incentive, we are honored to showcase its instrumental role in revitalizing underutilized properties. Our collaboration with the City and SSMMA demonstrates the transformative power of these types of partnerships and our commitment to building a vibrant and sustainable community. We anticipate continued collaboration to foster growth and prosperity and encourage other developers to do the same.”
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