What is "The Altenheim?"
“The Altenheim” refers to either:
1) The 11-acre village-owned property southwest of Madison and Van Buren Streets.
2) A not-for-profit senior living community for people 55+ at 7824 Madison Street. Learn more at thealtenheim.com.
The northern section of the village-owned property, commonly called “The Grove,” is separated from the southern section by The Altenheim senior living community.
For clarity, on this site the village-owned property will be called the Altenheim property and the senior living community will be called the Altenheim Senior Community.
What are the current uses of the Altenheim property?
The Grove is used for Village sponsored activities such as Ribfest, Groovin’ in the Grove and staging for the Firefighters’ 5K. The southern end of the Altenheim property has been used by the Park District for drive-in movies and as parking for events at The Grove.
When did the Village buy the Altenheim property?
The Village purchased the property for $3.6 million in August 2001 and made its final payment in November 2021.
What is the "restrictive covenant" included in the Village's purchase of the property?
When the Village purchased the Altenheim property, the Altenheim Senior Community (the seller) included restrictions on future use of the property. The restrictions are as follows:
“Purchaser may develop eight (8) acres of the property into residential dwelling units, or any other use permitted under R-1 and R-2 of the zoning ordinance of the Village of Forest Park, provided that such use will not interfere with the reasonable, quiet enjoyment by the residents of the A and B buildings of their apartments and of the surrounding property retained by the Altenheim.
Purchaser may use the existing buildings on the property for governmental office type business, as it shall reasonably determine, provided that such use will not interfere with the reasonable, quiet enjoyment by residents of the A and B buildings of their apartments and of the surrounding property retained by the Altenheim.”
What are the impacts of the restrictive covenant?
In short, not all types of development are allowed. Low and medium density housing, government offices, and open space are some of the allowable types of development. High density housing or any development that would interfere with the “reasonable, quiet enjoyment” of the Altenheim Senior Community are prohibited.
Was there previously a committee that discussed the future of the Altenheim property?
Yes. In 2016, an ad hoc committee was assembled by the Village to look at future use of the Altenheim property. The committee initially recommended a band shell and concert venue but over time amended its recommendations to better accommodate the property’s restrictive covenants. The committee ultimately advised that the southern part of the property should be kept as contiguous green space and the northern part should be developed, if financially necessary, as a TOD.
Is there currently a committee?
Yes. Now that the vacant buildings have been demolished and the ground is “shovel-ready”, the Village has assembled an Altenheim Advisory Committee. The goal of the committee is to provide guidance and leadership in the public input process regarding the future of the Altenheim property. The committee will work with Village staff to collect ideas, information, and make recommendations to the Village Council. The committee shall ensure that objectives are met in an open and unbiased fashion. The Altenheim Advisory Committee is strictly an advisory board.
Is the Altenheim Cemetery part of the Altenheim property?
No. The Altenheim Cemetery is owned by the Altenheim Senior Community.
What is "The Grove?"
“The Grove” is the northern part of the Altenheim property.
Can residents use the Altenheim property?
No, not currently. Through this process, we look forward to creating a space that residents of all ages can enjoy.
What was the previous use of the vacant buildings on the property? When were they demolished?
The buildings had been long-abandoned but have a fascinating history. You can read more at the website of the Historical Society of Forest Park
The Village received grant funding for demolition of the unsafe and no-longer-usable buildings. Demolition began in March 2021. In addition to taking down the derelict buildings, work included removing a substantial amount of asbestos, performing soil remediation and leaving the ground in a “shovel ready” condition.
A TOD has been mentioned as a possibility for the Altenheim property. What's a TOD?
TOD is an acronym for Transit Oriented Development. A TOD is a compact, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use community centered around a transit station. One goal of a TOD is to create a lower-stress life for residents, less dependent upon cars due to their proximity to public transit. The Altenheim property is within walking distance of the Forest Park station on the CTA Blue Line.
Has the Village entertained development opportunities in the past?
Yes. In 2007, a potential sale to the Oak Park YMCA was considered.
In 2012, Fenwick High School offered to purchase the south section of the Altenheim property for athletic facilities, but that project expired in the early planning stages.
What is a comprehensive plan and what are the recommendations for the property in the Village’s Plan?
A comprehensive plan outlines a community’s vision and includes recommendations and policies to help achieve that vision. It provides a detailed framework for the preservation and enhancement of community assets, while guiding development and investment decisions.
The future land use map in Forest Park’s current Comprehensive Plan identifies the Altenheim property as “Community Facilities/Institutional.” However, the current plan was approved in 2014, and changing needs and/or recommendations are inevitable. With shifting work practices related to COVID-19, commercial vacancies, and market demand changes, recommendations in the comprehensive plan may not be applicable today.
Who will make the final decision on the future of the Altenheim property?
Village Council. The Altenheim Advisory Committee will work closely with Village Staff and the public to explore best uses for the Altenheim property. Their findings and recommendations will be forwarded to the Village Council for final consideration. Any proposed development will also require one or more pre-approval public hearings before the Zoning and Planning Commission.
Who is leading this visioning process?
Click here to learn more about Village leadership for this exciting initiative.