[SamInTheLoop]

So, (unless I missed it earlier) I'm surprised nobody here has yet mentioned Reilly's explanation in his opening remarks that he is taking this opportunity (the PD approval process for Wanda Vista) to do a complete 'refresh' of the LSE PD, which will involve many other items.

I was a little confused by at least one aspect here. It's been my recognition for at least a few years now that Magellan needs to get increases to the number of allowable residential units/hotel units. Am I wrong here? (eg, can the originally planned office towers (which never made sense - even at the time of the LSE PD approval, based on office market demand patterns - again, even at that time - and the allowable footprint of them - along Columbus - they were too thin to work as office floorplates, for example, and not enough demand even at that time in the East Loop for new office space......).....which of course aren't being built transfer space to residential/hotels and automatically increase the number of allowable units?? (it wasn't just sq ftge limits in the PD that was spelled-out - it had strict unit limits)........for example, while WV doesn't contain a massive number of units, "O" does - more than Aqua combined, and then the entire NE corner of the PD yet to be developed.............But then Sean Linnane (if I have sp right) seemed to indicate that Magellan is not seeking any increase in what they are building at LSE (or was he just referring to the overall WV site)?? Also, something is curious about the claim they all (Reilly, Magellan) seemed to make that WV is going thru PD because its height exceeds the limit in 'the box' spelled out for the specific site in the PD......however so did Aqua for its site, but Aqua did not in fact go through a public hearing/PD revision, Plan Commission approval process.....they handled that one administratively, so that suggests that either there is a grey area here, or Aqua's process was in error, or WV's current one is......

Also, I continue to be discouraged that CPS is continuing to claim that there is not enough demand for a new public school at LSE at this time, as Reilly mentioned. Give me a break. There's enough demand for a private school in same development at $30k avg annual tuition, but not for a new public school in downtown Chicago?? Right...........I want Reilly to really get on the Emanuel Administration and CPS about this....he seemed pretty resigned almost on this issue....