Community members in the Galewood–Montclare area are raising urgent concerns regarding the proposed 1,100-unit apartment complex slated for the former Mars Candy site. Developer McCaffery will present details of the project during a Community Information Session on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025, at the Sayre Language Academy Auditorium, 1850 n. Newland Ave., from 6p.m., to 7:30p.m. The proposal includes non-luxury apartments, with 20 percent designated as affordable housing, and McCaffery’s stated intention to sell the development after completion. Residents have identified several major points of concern, including:

• Heavy strain on traffic, parking, and overall neighborhood safety

• Overcrowding of already-stressed local schools

• High-density construction that does not match the character of Galewood–Montclare

• Limited transparency regarding ownership, future management, and long-term plans

• Insufficient community involvement during project planning