Thanks to Jess for noticing a sign that the delayed start of work on the two-building Equity Residential development at 42nd/Alaska/California is NOT imminent: Part of the site is being turned into a pay-to-park lot. It’s been six months since the businesses formerly on the site had to clear out. In November, the development team had told WSB they expected to start demolition right after Christmas; then when we checked in a month ago, they said it would be “early (this) year” instead. So with the parking-lot striping, we renewed our inquiry with project spokesperson Sierra Hansen, who replied:
As we mentioned earlier this month, the start of construction has been delayed at the site. In the meantime, Equity has decided that there might be interest by Junction visitors to use the parking lot on the east part of the block, and are contracting with Diamond manage the lot until construction starts.
On a related note, they discovered signs of trespassing and will be hiring a security firm to patrol and monitor the buildings until demolition.
The site had been long held by Eastside-based Conner Homes, which shepherded the development plan through the approval process, and then sold it to Chicago-based Equity for $11 million in December 2011. No new date for the expected start of work.
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