“Ald. Matt Martin’s office (47th) said in a letter Friday he has approved developer Hayes Properties’ proposal to turn the old screw factory, which has been vacant at 4050 N. Hermitage Ave. for almost a decade, into a 19-unit, sustainably-minded apartment building.
“Two of those affordable units are fully wheelchair-accessible, and Hayes Properties is partnering with Access Living to make sure they are rented out to people with disabilities.
“The building will be designed to meet LEED energy standards and will have solar panels on its roof.
“The developers also said they’ll remove the building’s fire escape and replace the brick wall in front with materials ‘lighter and friendlier to the streetscape and community.’
“The building has been vacant since 2012, when its last occupant moved out of a small apartment in the building’s corner, developers said.
“Joe Hayes, of Hayes Properties, previously told neighbors they planned to ‘spruce up’ the building’s exterior while maintaining its original architectural character.
“We’re going to try to restore it to what it looked like in 1920 on its first day,” he said.” (Wittich, 11/2/20)
