2026

Bay Cities Packaging & Design, the leading designer and manufacturer of retail packaging and displays based in Los Angeles, California is relocating its Midwest packout, fulfillment and logistics facility to the state-of-the-art Logistics Property Company’s building located at 16799 S. Cicero Avenue.  The move marks a significant milestone in Bay Cities’ growth strategy and commitment to delivering world-class operational efficiency and service excellence.

Set to begin operations in March, the new facility spans 233,119 square feet and is strategically located to major retailers.

“This expansion reinforces Bay Cities’ long-term investment in the Midwest and enables us to continue offering the agility, precision and scalable solutions our clients depend on,” said Greg Tucker, chairman and CEO of Bay Cities. “We’re excited to work with Logistics Property Company in improving the facility and bringing this next chapter of growth to life.”
 
Bay Cities’ new facility features modern infrastructure designed to support high-volume packout and fulfillment programs, improved access to major transportation routes, and optimized layout for operational flow.

“This project exemplifies the type of efficient, well-located industrial real estate that Logistics Property is proud to develop,” said Ben Fish, vice president for Logistics Property Company’s Midwest Region. “We’re excited to welcome Bay Cities to Oak Forest and to support their continued success in the logistics and fulfillment sector.”

Business View Magazine recently sat down with Mayor Jim Hortsman and Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development Paul Ruane to discuss our master plan for housing, commercial and infrastructure growth, as part of its ongoing series profiling some of North America’s fastest growing municipalities.

2025

As if on cue, the sun came out on Tuesday afternoon (9/23) as we enthusiastically broke ground on Carefree Village, a senior housing community to serve independent, moderate-income seniors at 4758 W. 151st Street. The three-story structure will contain 41 one-bedroom and 14 two-bedroom units for a total of 55 apartments. The development's residential common areas will include a spacious lobby, community area, warming kitchen, and dining room as well as a health center, lounge, and library. Carefree Village is yet another bright spot on our road to revitalizing Cicero Avenue!

Visitors to Oak Forest can now stay where the essentials shine at Spark by Hilton at 4375 Frontage Road. The newly rebranded hotel is the first of its kind in the Chicago Southland – offering a reliable and comfortable stay at an accessible price point with consistent amenities like clean and functional guest rooms, and free breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi.

City officials and staff joined the Crazy Wraps family for an official ribbon cutting ceremony on August 27. Crazy Wraps at 4142 W. 167th Street offers a variety of delicious wraps, homemade soups, burgers, chicken tenders, gyros, and more. Trust us…it’s crazy good!

The City of Oak Forest is moving forward with plans to revitalize the former Ace Hardware site at 15541 S. Cicero Avenue, which has remained vacant since closing in 2009. Following its demolition early last year, a new development is now in the works, bringing both commercial and residential opportunities to the community.

The proposed project includes a 5,000-square-foot commercial space with a drive-thru, along with 29 modern townhouses. While a specific tenant for the commercial space has yet to be announced, the development aims to attract businesses that will enhance the local economy and serve Oak Forest residents.

Leading the project is Deshe Real Estate, a developer creating a strong track record in constructing successful mixed-use developments and securing capital for transformative projects. This initiative aligns with the city's ongoing efforts to attract investment and improve underutilized spaces.

In January, the City of Oak Forest welcomed Cafe de Miro to 15646 S. Cicero Avenue.  Cafe de Miro is serving up delicious bites made with fresh ingredients, plus a delightful selection of tea, coffee, and specialty drinks, all in a cozy and friendly atmosphere.

2024

SOMETHING FRESH IS BREWING in Oak Forest! It's the ground-up development of a combination Dunkin’ & Baskin Robbins quick-service restaurant at the southwest corner of 159th Street and Cicero Avenue.

The 2,581-square-foot, new-generation restaurant will feature a drive-thru, inside dining space and a patio area for outside dining. The drive-thru will allow for approximately 20 vehicles with access points available on 159th Street and Cicero Avenue. Once at the building, the double drive-thru traffic will go clockwise before exiting onto Cicero Avenue.

The site plan also includes a monument sign, decorative lighting and fencing, and landscaping.

On September 24, the Oak Forest City Council approved an ordinance to eliminate daily parking fees at its five Metra parking lots, effective immediately. “Eliminating the daily fee will not have a significant impact on our bottom line,” said [City Administrator Tim] Kristin. “In fact, we believe free parking will lead to more commuters and more foot traffic in our Gateway Development area, which will benefit our commercial corridors – attracting more development opportunities.”

Read the full press release.

One Fifty Seven Oak Forest has reached the finish line!  Just steps away from the Metra train station, this large-scale, mixed-use development will serve as an anchor for future projects along Cicero Avenue.  Learn more about these high-quality homes that offer residents walkable living and easy commutes at https://157andcicero.com/.

Video by EM8 Properties

Citgo Demo The former Citgo gas station at 15229 S. Cicero Avenue is coming down to make way for future development.

On May 30, city officials and staff attended the grand opening of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Oak Forest! The brand new hotel, located at 4365 Frontage Road, offers free hot breakfast, an indoor swimming pool and gym, a business center, and laundry facilities.

Be Ribbon Cutting

On February 20, the City of Oak Forest began demolition of the former Ace Hardware at 15541 S. Cicero Avenue to make way for future development.

LET’S TACO ‘BOUT IT: Taco Bell is coming back to Oak Forest! The quick-service restaurant will be located in the space formerly occupied by Kentucky Fried Chicken at 5301 W. 159th Street. The building will be completely renovated to adhere to Taco Bell specifications and branding. Site improvements include updated landscaping, a decorative monument sign, and new fencing along the residence to the south.

2023

On March 20, 2023, the City of Oak Forest took the next step in bringing a ground-up Culver’s Restaurant to town by selling the property at 5410 W. 159^th Street to the franchise owners.  The 4,190-square-foot, quick-serve restaurant will have a dual-lane drive-thru and outdoor patio.  As part of the project, the city will make improvements to the existing lift station at the corner of 159^th Street and Long Avenue by creating a masonry enclosure and surrounding it with landscaping. Construction at the site is expected to begin soon.

The City of Oak Forest recently sold property at 5940 W. 159^th Street. The new owners plan to renovate the existing structure into Be., a 3,132-square-foot cannabis dispensary. The dispensary is expected to open summer 2023.

The City of Oak Forest is thrilled to announce the ground-up development of an Aldi Food Market at 4250 W. 167^th Street.  The city recently sold the property at the northwest side of 167^th Street and Kilbourne Avenue to make way for the new-generation, 20,000-square-foot grocery store. Construction of the store is anticipated to begin this summer.  

The City of Oak Forest and EM8 Properties broke ground on the mixed-use development at 4800 W. 157^th Street on Thursday, January 12. Construction of the mixed-use development, which includes 75 multi-family units, commercial first-floor space and 15 row homes is officially underway.

Our team has been working on this development for a long time, and we are very proud of the outcome,” said Oak Forest Economic Development Director Ed Cage.  “This project encapsulates exactly the type of new development we desire in Oak Forest, a mixture of commercial and residential living options.  A high-quality development so close to the Metra train station will be a great asset and will provide an anchor for further development along Cicero Avenue.”

We are thrilled to break ground on this large-scale, residential development just steps away from the Metra train station,” said Etamar Deshe and Michael Gallant, managers of EM8 Properties.  “The City of Oak Forest has been tremendously supportive in bringing this project to life. It’s a strong team effort, and we are extremely proud to be building quality homes for the hardworking middle class of America.”  

Kinzie Builders is the general contractor and OKW Architects is the project architect. 

Interested in renting a unit?  Contact Matt Shamis at mshamis@apchicago.com.  

PHOTO: Left to right: Oak Forest Economic Development Director Ed Cage, City Clerk Jack Janozik, Building Commissioner Mike Forbes, Planner Paul Ruane, EM8 Properties Manager Michael Gallant, EM8 Properties Manager Etamar Deshe, Mayor Hank Kuspa, City Administrator Tim Kristin, Public Works Director Mike Salamowicz, Treasurer Ericka Vetter, Alderperson Jim Emmett, and Kinzie Group Principal Steve Spinell.

The City Council recently approved a new Culver’s Restaurant at 5410 W. 159th Street – adjacent to Grey’s Social to the west and Long Avenue to the east. The approved plan is for a 4,190-square-foot Culver’s with dual-lane drive-thru and outdoor patio. Construction of the restaurant is expected to begin in spring 2023.

2022

The City Council has approved a plan by Carefree Development, LLC to develop, construct and operate a senior housing community to serve independent, moderate-income seniors at 4758 W. 151^st Street. The proposed development will be a three-story structure containing 41 one-bedroom and 14 two-bedroom units for a total of 55 apartments. The project’s residential common areas will include a spacious lobby, community area, warming kitchen, and dining room as well as a health center, lounge, and library.  Construction is expected to begin in 2023.

The City Council recently approved a plan for a mixed-use development at 15644 S. Cicero Avenue.   The proposed development, which includes 75 multi-family units, commercial first-floor space and 15 row homes would replace the former Magna Electric and the adjacent apartment building at the northwest corner of Cicero Avenue and 157^th Street.  The city played an active role in the major redevelopment of this property by purchasing and demolishing two former apartment buildings on 157^th Street. These two properties will be purchased from the city by the developer and utilized in the development of the site.  The plan also calls for a parking facility that would hold 30 vehicles to serve the residential units and on-street parking to serve the proposed commercial space. It is anticipated that demolition of the existing structures and construction of the row homes will begin this year.

Say GOODBYE to the former home of Taco Bell, Tino’s Beef & Pasta, Mr. Burrito, DeLand’s Beef, and Midwest Title Loans and HELLO to Oak Forest Family Dental. Dr. Carly Paragas and her team are excited to make the move from Cicero Avenue to 159th Street – opening a new facility at 6154 W. 159th Street.

The former Citgo gas station at 15229 S. Cicero Avenue is coming down to make way for future development.