The department of planning and development is hoping fresh proposals are forthcoming as a result for a request for proposals, which sets target prices of $220,000 for a 21,985-sf site at 11445 S. Western Ave. and $570,000 for an 81,361-sf parcel at 11501 S. Western Ave. The city also is willing to close off a portion of 115th Street and include that in a package with both parcels for $670,000. A developer willing to buy both sites without closing off the street could pay $620,000, according to the request for proposals.

The city is hoping to generate ideas that include retail, recreational or cultural uses from a request of proposals that came out last week. Besides being the largest city-owned parcel available in the 19th Ward, the sites are part of a Beverly/Morgan Park community that boasts high median household incomes and high rate of homeownership, according to department of planning and development officials.

Since 1997, a plan to build a Twin Indoor Ice Rink fell through after three years of discussions, says 19th Ward Alderman Virginia A. Rugai, and officials at Washington and Jane Smith Home decided after nearly two years to build a new facility at their current location at Western Avenue and 113th Place rather than two blocks south.

Retail uses were added to the request for proposals even though they could increase traffic near the prominent Beverly intersection. "Residents are anxious for proposals," Rugai says.