Amazon Begins Demolition of Former Central Steel Site for New Chicago Delivery Hub

Once operational, the site is expected to support about 200 full-time employees and 400 contracted delivery drivers.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Amazon is beginning to demolish Chicago's Central Steel & Wire, a historic building located in Gage Park, in order to install a new delivery station expected to bring hundreds of jobs.

E-commerce retailer Amazon purchased the 70-acre plot of land located at 3000 W. 51st Street for $35 million in 2021. A distribution building of 230,000 square feet will replace the former industrial site. Green space will surround the building.

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Demolition will be done without explosives and should take about nine months. Contractors estimate that strict dust control measures will be taken by using air quality monitors, sprinklers, and covered disposal bins in an effort to prevent contamination.

According to Amazon representatives, large truck shipments will arrive at night in order to keep congestion to a minimum, while delivery trucks will begin departing after 10 am and arriving at a later time. Deliveries will avoid using residential streets.

As part of the plan, grass, native plants, and more than 1,200 shrubs and trees will cover 51% of the site; some areas of the green space could possibly be open to the public.

The location will eventually employ approximately 200 full-time workers and 400 contract delivery drivers.