Communuty Meeting Sumary 

Community Gains a Seat at the Table in the Future of the Mars Property

The Galewood Montclare Community Organization recently hosted a public meeting to update residents on the proposed redevelopment of the former Mars candy factory property and to discuss how the community can remain involved in shaping its future.

The meeting brought together residents, GMCO board members, community organizations, local leaders, educational representatives, and Alderman Christopher Taliaferro. The evening opened with a prayer and a reminder that decisions made today will have a lasting impact on future generations.

A Turning Point for Community Involvement

Mars announced the closing of its longtime Galewood candy factory in 2022 after nearly a century in the neighborhood. Since then, several concepts have been discussed for the approximately 20-acre property.

One proposal presented by a developer included approximately 479 residential units:

• 150 senior-living units
• 197 multifamily apartments
• 132 townhomes
• A portion designated as affordable housing
• Approximately one-half parking space per residential unit

Residents raised concerns about the potential effect of a large residential development on traffic, street parking, schools, sewers, utilities, police, fire protection, ambulance services, and the overall residential character of Galewood and Montclare.

Many residents also felt that previous planning efforts did not provide the community with a meaningful role in the decision-making process.

GMCO responded by organizing public meetings, collecting more than 100 community ideas, and developing a community-supported concept for the property. That plan included possibilities such as:

• A public library and community center
• Indoor sports and recreation facilities
• Job training and workforce-development programs
• Restaurants, cafés, and retail businesses
• A grocery store
• Green and open spaces
• A museum or historical component
• Parking facilities
• Limited development that complements the surrounding neighborhood

The community proposal was submitted to Mars, the developer, city officials, and other stakeholders.

A Meaningful Victory

Following continued outreach from GMCO and neighboring community organizations, Mars representatives recently met with community leaders for an extensive discussion about restarting the planning process.

The meeting produced what participants described as a meaningful reset and a small but important victory: the community now has a more direct seat at the table.

The proposed process will include:

• An independent facilitator
• Smaller and more productive working groups
• Representatives from Mars, the developer, city officials, community organizations, and residents
• Earlier access to studies and development information
• Clear priorities, roles, timelines, and meeting schedules
• Experts who can address questions involving traffic, housing demand, infrastructure, public safety, economics, and environmental concerns
• A defined process leading toward an agreed-upon outcome

Future meetings are expected to begin in the early fall.

Standards for Evaluating the Property

Residents emphasized that any future proposal should be evaluated according to several important standards.

A successful development should:

• Fit the character and scale of the surrounding neighborhood
• Strengthen Galewood and Montclare
• Address traffic and parking realistically
• Consider the effect on schools and public services
• Provide adequate sewer, water, utility, police, fire, and ambulance capacity
• Offer lasting public value and meaningful community benefits
• Preserve and recognize the history of the property and neighborhood
• Include safeguards for long-term maintenance and accountability
• Provide opportunities for local jobs, education, recreation, culture, and economic development

Participants stressed that development should benefit residents, families, children, seniors, and local businesses—not simply outside developers.

Libraries, Job Training, and Community Resources

Representatives from Triton College discussed the school’s historic connection with Mars and the importance of continuing workforce training and career-development opportunities in the community.

Library representatives also explained that modern libraries are much more than places to borrow books. They serve as community hubs offering educational programs, cultural events, meeting rooms, technology, youth activities, adult learning, and employment resources.

Many residents expressed strong support for including a library, job-training center, sports facility, grocery store, green space, and other public amenities in the redevelopment.

The Importance of Community Participation

Speakers repeatedly emphasized that public involvement has already made a difference. Plans that once appeared to be moving forward without sufficient community input are now being reconsidered through a broader process.

Residents were encouraged to remain respectful, patient, united, and persistent. Community influence depends upon residents attending meetings, joining working groups, sharing ideas, and encouraging their neighbors to participate.

GMCO is operated entirely by volunteers. Board members contribute their time, professional experience, and personal resources without compensation.

The organization includes people with backgrounds in education, law, accounting, business, public service, community development, and other professions. However, every resident has something valuable to contribute—whether through professional expertise, neighborhood knowledge, volunteer service, or simply being present.

GMCO and GMCO Action

GMCO currently operates through two related organizations:

GMCO Inc. focuses on neighborhood improvement, public meetings, community events, fundraising, development concerns, and civic engagement.

GMCO Action is organized separately to address political advocacy and government accountability.

Residents may participate in either organization depending on their interests.

Moving Forward Together

The meeting concluded with a clear message: the community has made progress, but continued participation is essential.

The future of the Mars property should not be decided behind closed doors or without the people who live nearby. Residents want a thoughtful, financially realistic, community-supported development that honors the history of the site while creating lasting opportunities for future generations.

This process will take time. It will require patience, research, compromise, and continued public involvement. However, the community has already demonstrated that when residents organize and speak together, their voices can be heard.

The redevelopment of the Mars property represents more than a construction project. It is an opportunity to shape the future of Galewood and Montclare.

Get Involved

Residents are encouraged to:

• Join GMCO
• Attend upcoming community meetings
• Volunteer for a committee or working group
• Share ideas and professional expertise
• Encourage neighbors to participate
• Follow GMCO through its website and social-media channels

Together, residents can help ensure that the final development is something the entire community can understand, support, and be proud of.