Goal

Meet the Growing Demand for Large-Scale Projects and Position DuPage with “Areas of Opportunity” for Business Attraction and Expansion

One of the main obstacles in DuPage County is the shortfall of larger-sized parcels of land for development, especially in the industrial market. Currently, the DuPage Business Center in West Chicago is one of few locations left that can accommodate development of this scale, however this location is nearing capacity. The need is great for new “Areas of Opportunity” to accommodate the increasing demand for developable sites, especially as it relates to growth in the industrial market for manufacturing, e-commerce, transportation, logistics and warehousing facilities.

In the office market there is also a need to identify and promote buildings and sites that could be considered Areas of Opportunity for prospective businesses looking to move or expand within DuPage. An example is Oak Brook Reserve, the former McDonald’s campus, now being marketed as an 80-acre corporate campus. For retail, Areas of Opportunity might be large-scale, retail buildings that are vacant and could be adopted for other uses.

Identifying and promoting these Areas of Opportunity is essential for the future of DuPage County’s business attraction and expansion program.

ACTION PLAN

1. Work with municipalities and real estate brokers to identify and promote targeted parcels, buildings available for immediate occupancy, and/or areas that can be combined into larger development opportunities to create Areas of Opportunity.
   
   
2. Elevate these Areas of Opportunity to site selectors, commercial real estate and development professionals, and business decision-makers.
   
   
3. Address underlying zoning and other hindrances to development/redevelopment.