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Berwyn reports falling commercial vacancy, flags large outdated spaces for targeted redevelopment
Summary
City staff reported an adjusted commercial vacancy rate of 6.96%, down from 7.73% a year earlier, and recommended streamlining permitting, targeting incentives and subdividing large, outdated properties to reduce concentrated vacancies.
Berwyn — City staff presented a commercial vacancy report to the council committee on Jan. 27 that shows a modest improvement in the city's commercial market but highlights concentrated long‑term vacancies in a small number of large, outdated buildings.
Hannah, a city planner presenting the report, said the adjusted vacancy rate for Berwyn's commercial corridors is 6.96%, down from 7.73% the previous year and 11.44% in 2022. "Our adjusted vacancy rate is 6.96% which is down 7.7 down from 7.73 last year," Hannah said, noting that more than 63% of vacant square footage is concentrated in properties that have been empty for nearly three years.
The report identified Cermak Road as a strong anchor with about a 7.41% vacancy rate, while corridors such as 26th Street and Ridgeland have vacancy rates over 12% but represent a smaller share of total inventory. Staff recommended regulatory streamlining, support for tenant improvements (such as the finish line grant or the proposed restaurant forgivable loan), and encouraging small‑format conversions to subdivide large spaces into move‑in‑ready units.
Why it matters: The analysis frames the city's redevelopment priorities by showing that a relatively small set of large, outdated buildings account for much of the vacancy. Staff argued that targeted incentives and right‑sized spaces could significantly lower vacancy across the city.
Next steps: Staff and the BDC offered to meet with aldermen about corridors in their wards and to return with targeted proposals; council members requested follow‑up materials and ward‑level briefings.
Heard at the meeting: City staff emphasized the concentration of vacancy in a few properties and recommended targeted incentives and permitting reforms to attract smaller, move‑in‑ready tenants.
