The closest Jewel food store is more than a mile away at 114th and Halsted streets, while grocery rival Dominick's has a store at 79th and State streets, more than four miles north. Meanwhile, residential rehabbing has begun in the area, according to department of planning and development officials.

"It's a long time coming," says Alderman Anthony Beale. "It's taken us four years to get to this project."

Some land assembly may be required to build a neighborhood retail center, department of planning and development officials note. A successful developer would be encouraged to acquire one acre at the southeast corner of 115th and State streets, which would give the center frontage across the east-west street. The 10 parcels, which include five single-family homes and five mixed-used properties, are individually owned. The city has acquisition authority, but prefers the developer to strike deals with the private owners.

Meanwhile, the city also is offering a smaller parcel at the southeast corner of 115th Street and Michigan Avenue for $280,000. That parcel could be developed separately or part of a project involving the larger property to the west, according to the department of planning and development.

In addition to a grocery store, developers also will be encouraged to build a pharmacy, bank and sit-down restaurant. They will be discouraged from bringing plans that include pay-day loan offices and currency exchanges.