Chicago Ald. Scott Waguespack says JDL Development considering buying Lincoln Yards site after Sterling Bay fell through
Share and Follow

CHICAGO (WLS) — There is a revamped plan for the future of Chicago’s Lincoln Yards.

A recent effort to redevelop the property has fallen through.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

And now someone else wants to buy it.

The 55-acre Lincoln Yards sits along the north bank of the Chicago River, and spans from the Kennedy Expressway to Webster, Clybourn and North avenues.

It was supposed to be a $6 billion mixed-use development along the river on the North Side. Instead, 55 acres have sat idle for years. What happened to Lincoln Yards?

Overgrown weeds, graffiti and wasted concrete: The Lincoln Yards development broke ground in 2019. Yet, nothing has developed except a life sciences building, which is also empty.

“Sterling Bay could not get it moving forward on the project that they proposed and promised everybody would happen six or seven years ago,” 32nd Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack said.

The entire mega-development site, owned by Sterling Bay, sits in Waguespack’s 32nd Ward. He is now in talks with a different Chicago developer. He says JDL Development is negotiating to possibly buy the entire site, after banks are pulling out of the deal with Sterling Bay.

“We’re trying to pull the whole thing together, look at potentially new ideas for it while meeting many of the obligations that exist,” Waguespack said.

Waguespack says the new ideas include scaling back the project by building more residential than office space. He hopes JDL is open to the possibility of a Chicago Fire soccer stadium. North Side neighborhood groups say their priorities have not changed; they want more green space.

“More open green space that’s inviting to the entire community, not just maybe the people that might be in, you know, certain buildings,” Sheffield Neighborhood Association President Brian Comer said.

The other priority for residents is building enough infrastructure to support such a big development. Sterling Bay was supposed to create new infrastructure and get reimbursed by the city under a tax increment financing deal made with then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Waguespack says, instead, the developer broke its promise, by asking the city for money upfront.

“Was it too big to be true? Probably, and what can we do to make it realistic now for a developer to get it done?” Waguespack said.

Both Sterling Bay and JDL would not comment.

Waguespack says if all goes well with JDL, he hopes a new plan for Lincoln Yards will be in place by the end of the summer.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide, did not have client list: DOJ memo

Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide, did not have client list: DOJ memo

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! This story discusses suicide.…
Pokémon card frenzy in Bay Area leads to person stabbed: Police

Police report stabbing in Bay Area during intense Pokémon card craze

(KRON) — A person was stabbed outside a GameStop in Colma Saturday…
Mets prove they have needed mettle while weathering brutal injury storm

“Mets show resilience in facing tough injuries”

The scrappy, feisty, big-hearted Mets, with a price tag of $330 million,…
Top Iranian cleric calls for Trump's execution

Top Iranian cleric calls for Trump’s execution

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A top Iranian cleric…
Timelapse shows how Texas river of death swelled 30ft in 45 minutes

Video footage demonstrates the rapid rise of lethal Texas river by 30 feet in just 45 minutes.

A dramatic timelapse video has surfaced, revealing how the Texas river experienced…
Marines team up with ICE in bold move to boost ‘threat awareness’ at critical military bases

Marines team up with ICE in bold move to boost ‘threat awareness’ at critical military bases

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The U.S. Marine Corps,…
The faces of the heroes, victims and missing in Texas flood disaster

The people impacted by the devastating floods in Texas

Tales of devastation and heroic sacrifice continue emerge from Texas Hill Country…
Former Army captain critically injured in Bahamas boating hit-and-run during family vacation: report

Former Army captain critically injured in Bahamas boating hit-and-run during family vacation: report

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A former Army captain…