Mega auto-mall planned for North Ave. & Clybourn

Grossinger Auto Sales has filed a zoning application to build a five-dealership auto mall on the site of the former Expo Design Center located at 1500 North Dayton - just south of the intersection of North Ave., Halsted and Clybourn.

Residents of nearby Old Town had been concerned that the auto mall would be located on Wells Street at the site of the former Tower Oldsmobile. Alderwoman Vi Daley (43rd) considers the new site "more appropriate than Wells Street." Considering the residential and recreational nature of Wells Street today, your guides completely agree.

Though the Clybourn Corridor is home to a myriad of retail destinations, the auto mall site sits immediately next door to the new SoNo development currently under construction. Smithfield development is near groundbreaking on two towers of residential condominiums with 550 one, two and three bedroom units plus retail space on the ground floor.

Though your guides find the idea of living in a vibrant area with a variety of retail options nearby, the automobile-centric nature of this retail corridor makes us just a bit wary of living this/close to an auto-dealer, (an already existing) car wash, and the busy parking lots that serve the Sams, Best Buy, Circuit City, Crate & Barrel, etc.