I didn't see this one on the rundown list. The paper version of this article had a rendering, but the electronic version didn't.
Hold sought on Cedar development
March 22, 2007
By FELICIA DECHTER Staff Writer
Before a demolition permit and a developer's plans for a 20-story hotel are approved for the site of the historic Cedar Hotel, 1112-1118 N. State St. "a sharing of the project with the broader community," should occur, says 42nd ward alderman-elect Brendan Reilly.
On March 7, developers applied for a demolition permit with the city on the property, yet Reilly said, "At a minimum, the developer needs to share information with the neighborhood and address concerns."
Neighbors and preservationists also say the project--which could go before the city's Plan Commission in April--should be deferred until Reilly takes office in May.
M Development in December filed a Planned Development application to build a "boutique" hotel with 150-200 guest rooms, a restaurant and limited-meeting space. The State Street frontage will include the restaurant and hotel lobby. A ballroom/banquet facility will not be included as it is will not be a convention hotel, according to principal Jeffrey Shapack.
The development was designed to incorporate the Cedar's existing brick and terra-cotta masonry façade, and both the facade and current setback will remain as is, and the plaza/setback will be enhanced with new landscaping, Shapack said.
"We have had numerous meetings with residential and business neighbors and have received positive responses to the proposed development," Shapack said. "We feel the project is ready to go before the Plan Commission and anticipate being on the April agenda."
Reilly said at the end of his campaign he met with a number of residents concerned about parking, traffic flow impact, and the height of the structure. He wants the developer to do a better job sharing information and seeking neighbors input. He'd also like to see the developer put together an informational packet.
Reilly, who will be sworn into office on May 21, said he hopes to talk with Alderman Burt Natarus, 42nd, about the project.
"I would hope the alderman would be interested in working with the alderman-elect to make sure the impacted folks feel better about it," he said.
The Cedar Hotel is a contributing building in the Gold Coast Historic District, on the National Register of Historic Places, but it has not been landmarked by the city. It is orange-rated in the Chicago Historic Resources Survey, meaning it possesses historical significance and is subject to a 90-day delay when a demolition permit is applied for.
Architects Rissman and Hirschfeld began the Cedar's construction in 1924, and its architectural style is listed as, "baroque, classical" on the city's Web site.
M Development--which also owns the Esquire Theater, Papa Milano, and Three Arts Club properties--was also seeking an upzoning of the property, and on Monday, Alderman Burt Natarus, 42nd, said that upzone was going through and that he supports the plan.
"I'm very much interested in getting rid of that eyesore," Natarus said, adding the hotel has "questionable activities." Natarus said people are worried about parking with the new plan, but he's mainly concerned because the Cedar is a source of crime, noise, motorcycles, and "everything else."
The two, 4 a.m. taverns with beer gardens the building houses don't help much either, he said.
"It's a very bad building," Natarus said.
Also supporting the plan is the board of the 20 E. Cedar Condominiums. Board president Larry Selander said: "We think it would be a good use for the property and enhance the neighborhood," adding that the parking issues in the area have been there a "long, long time."
Zoning does not require parking for hotels unless large meeting spaces are included, Shapack said, and hotel management will use valet parking services.
Yet not everyone feels that way. Neighbors are also calling for a decision on the property to be held off until Reilly takes office.
According to Coleen Blake, a Washington Square Association board member, her group is "disappointed," the project is being "pushed through so quickly."
"This matter should be deferred until Alderman-elect Brendan Reilly takes office," Blake said. "On February 27, the residents of the 42nd Ward clearly voted for change, and it is grossly unfair to see so many projects rammed through before our new alderman takes office."
Preservation Chicago is also calling for a deferment. The organization's vice president, Michael Moran, said any decisions on the property should wait until after May 21, when Reilly takes office. Preservation Chicago is not opposing the demolition of the rear portion of the Cedar, yet it does insist that the facade be preserved and its historic elements--which were recently removed--restored, and that the public space in front of the Cedar continue to serve as a cafe or other establishment.
Moran added it's "especially inappropriate," for the plan to go before the Plan Commission before Reilly has a chance to review the project and discuss it with his constituents. The group also is asking for the full 90-day hold on the demolition permit.
"There is no reason for the Department of Planning and Development to ram this project through the Plan Commission," said Moran, who met with Reilly last week. "Likewise, there is no reason for Alderman Natarus to rush this project through. These luxury rooms can wait for approval until after May 21st, when alderman-elect Reilly takes office."
According to Connie Buscemi, spokesman for the city's Department of Planning and Development, as of Monday, it had "not been decided yet," whether or not the proposal will go before the city's Plan Commission in April. The demolition permit application, she added, is being reviewed under the demolition delay ordinance.
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