A faith-based not-for-profit organization plans to build a trio of three-bedroom, two-bath houses in North Chicago, and the people buying the buildings will be first-time homeowners.

John Revenaugh, the president and executive director of Renew Communities, said it is a not-for-profit connected to Christ Church in Lake Forest. It builds attainable housing with congregants providing the labor. So far, all the homes have been built in North Chicago.

Renew Communities built this house in North Chicago for a first-time homeowner. (Photo Courtesy of Renew Communities)

Revenaugh said Renew Communities has already built homes in North Chicago and has a specific type of buyer in mind. Along with being a first-time home buyer, they should be people with ties to the community who work there, like teachers or those who work at Abbott or AbbVie.

“We want to help revitalize North Chicago,” Revenaugh said. “We’re looking for people who want to see North Chicago thrive. We want them to be a light to the neighborhood. We want them to reach out to people in the neighborhood and help build the community.”

Renew Communities purchased three vacant North Chicago lots from the city through an open bid auction on Monday at North Chicago City Hall, putting them back on the real estate tax rolls, providing benefits to the community and beyond.

Part of the city’s Strategic Plan, North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham said the city wants to increase the number of owner-occupied homes and reduce the percentage of rental housing. The sale of three of four lots scheduled for sale is another step toward the goal.

“This adds another piece of our puzzle,” Rockingham said. “It helps bring up the property value for the neighborhood. This helps the entire community move forward. It helps make a resident a first-time homeowner.”

Taylor Wegrzyn, the city’s director of economic & community development, unsealed the bids in a ceremony open to the public. Four city-owned lots were being sold. Renew purchased three — 2238 Hervey Avenue, 1700 Morrow Avenue, and 712 Broadway Avenue.

No one placed a bid on a fourth lot at 822 13th Street. Wegrzyn said the city will now decide what to do with the unsold lot. There could be another auction, it might be advertised for sale, or an effort could be made to sell it to the owner of a neighboring property.

Renew purchased each lot for $5,500, providing revenue to the city. Wegrzyn said when fully developed, he anticipates between $10,000 and $15,00 in property taxes. For years, the previous owners did not pay the real estate taxes. City-owned land does not generate tax dollars.

Along with the city, Wegrzyn said tax revenue will now flow to North Chicago School District 187, the Foss Park District, the College of Lake County, Waukegan or Shields townships and Lake County.

The city purchased the lots for $1 each through the Lake County Greenbook. Wegrzyn said it contains county-owned properties that can be sold at auction. When real estate taxes go unpaid, the owner does not redeem them, and no tax buyer emerges, they become part of the Greenbook.

Before the city sold the lots, Wegrzyn said the buildings were demolished and the lots put in condition to be sold.

“Vacant buildings can become a public nuisance for public health and safety,” Wegrzyn said.

A new home will be built on this lot sold Monday by the City of North Chicago to Renew Communities after an open bidding auction process. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)

Each bid was accompanied by a $550 cashier’s check as good-faith money.  Wegrzyn said the sales will soon be finalized making Renew the owner. Then, Renew will begin the process of building the homes.

Revenaugh said Renew has already both built and renovated houses in North Chicago. The new ones to be built on three lots will be 1.300 square feet with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full basement, a 2½-car garage and a front porch.

“We want them to sit out in front and say hi to their neighbors,” Revenaugh said. “It’s a community (style) house with a lot of open space.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/17/north-chicago-lot-auction-houses/