Gotham Greens announced plans to build a $12.5M, 105K SF greenhouse in Pullman. The indoor farm pioneer already operates a 75K SF greenhouse atop the Method soap plant in the Far Southeast Side neighborhood. That facility produces a crop yield equal to that of a 50-acre farm. The new greenhouse will employ 60 people.
The greenhouse will be on 6 acres at South Doty Avenue near the Bishop Ford Freeway, north of the Pullman Park development, a former Ryerson Steel Plant being developed into a mix of industrial and retail use.
CNI President David Doig said Gotham Greens would buy the site for $800K, and CNI will perform remediation on the site prior to transfer. The city is offering a $3.5M tax increment subsidy for the greenhouse's construction, pending City Council approval. Doig said Gotham Greens looked at sites in and outside of Chicago for a second greenhouse for the past six months before deciding to double down on Pullman.
"It made sense economically and logistically for Gotham Greens to reinvest in Pullman," Doig said.
CNI's efforts in Pullman have brought over $250M in real estate investment and over 1,100 jobs to the community over a five-year span. CNI and Alderman Anthony Beale (9th) are betting on a boost in tourism in the neighborhood from the Pullman National Monument, which may result in greater investment in the area.
CNI is also partnering with Ryan Cos. to develop Pullman Crossings, a 1.2M SF industrial development announced last year. Last month, Whole Foods opened a 140K SF distribution center in Pullman.
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