CHICAGO | General Developments

[the urban politician]

^ Nice, now if only something would replace that God-awful McDonald's

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

^ Nice, now if only something would replace that God-awful McDonald's

Hah. Was thinking the exact same thing. I think it'll be awhile though. We need more projects like this around there to raise values so it gives them a reason to sell their land.


Also, there was a demo permit last week for 1665 N Milwaukee Ave which is near Milwaukee/North/Damen. It's an industrial building that looks like —. The only thing I can find on it for plans was to renovate it into a 6 unit luxury building. Doesn't look like that's happening. Maybe PKDickman knows what's up?

[lu9]

^^^ 1665 N Milwaukee Ave was tied up in the courts when it was deemed structurally unsafe resulting in forced demolition. There are no impending plans for the site as far as I'm aware. A friend of mine had the listing for a while and owner was unwilling to bend on selling price. There were plans at one point for high-end condos as you suggested.

Note from Alderman newsletter:

Neighborhood Notice
Wicker Park and Bucktown

Starting on Tuesday, May 3rd, the vacant building at 1665 N. Milwaukee Ave. is going to be demolished. Closures of the northbound lane of Milwaukee will be in effect, as well as the accompanying curb-lane and sidewalk. Demolition is anticipated to end on Friday.

This building, which has been in poor condition for nearly ten years and had been tied up in the Circuit Court, was recently deemed to be structurally unstable by the City. Our office, acting on the behalf of local neighbors, immediately took action to see that this building came down so that it no longer poses a safety risk to the community.

We want to thank the Buildings Department, the Department of Water Management and People's Gas for their prompt attention and assistance with this issue.

[marothisu]

It's too bad 1665 N Milwaukee wasn't taken care of. I bet it would have made some awesome condos after renovation. Really hope they figure out what to do with it. With everything happening in the general area, it's too much of a loss to sit on it most likely. Right next door are new apartments (that LG building). Need another building like that with retail/commercial on the ground floor.

[lu9]

Originally Posted by marothisu

It's too bad 1665 N Milwaukee wasn't taken care of. I bet it would have made some awesome condos after renovation. Really hope they figure out what to do with it. With everything happening in the general area, it's too much of a loss to sit on it most likely. Right next door are new apartments (that LG building). Need another building like that with retail/commercial on the ground floor.

Yep. And the auto shop adjacent to the south is about to suffer the same fate it appears (unsafe). Tear that down and you have a nice chunk of land to build more apartments/condos with retail.

[sammyg]

Originally Posted by lu9

^^^ 1665 N Milwaukee Ave was tied up in the courts when it was deemed structurally unsafe resulting in forced demolition. There are no impending plans for the site as far as I'm aware. A friend of mine had the listing for a while and owner was unwilling to bend on selling price. There were plans at one point for high-end condos as you suggested.

Note from Alderman newsletter:

Was that Hopkins or Moreno? I'm impressed by Hopkins so far.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by lu9

Yep. And the auto shop adjacent to the south is about to suffer the same fate it appears (unsafe). Tear that down and you have a nice chunk of land to build more apartments/condos with retail.

Let's hope something happens then and fast!

Also in other news close by, the now former Rothschild Liquors on Chicago Ave is going to be renovated, an addition erected, and 8 units will go above the 1st floor. Permit still pending.

[PKDickman]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Hah. Was thinking the exact same thing. I think it'll be awhile though. We need more projects like this around there to raise values so it gives them a reason to sell their land.


Also, there was a demo permit last week for 1665 N Milwaukee Ave which is near Milwaukee/North/Damen. It's an industrial building that looks like —. The only thing I can find on it for plans was to renovate it into a 6 unit luxury building. Doesn't look like that's happening. Maybe PKDickman knows what's up?

The building was owned by Robt Farnik, a local landlord who treats all his buildings like sh!t. It fell into foreclosure and got picked up in 2012 by Marc realty. But Farnik filed an injunction and the case is still in appeal.

The Marc realty guys came around in 2014 looking for a zoning change to a B3-3 from M1-2. (just before Farnik filed his appeal.)
Six condos, storefront, parking.

It was a reasonable request and saved a manly looking industrial building in an area where they were rapidly disappearing, and we backed the change.

That's where it ended. No permit was ever applied for and as best I can tell the only work done was that someone removed the roof, left it open and the weather took it's toll.

It's been in demo court forever.

[the urban politician]

^ Is anybody ready to meet me on the sidewalk out front and pop a cork when the strip mall across the street from this property gets its demo permit (perhaps we'll all be walking with canes by then)?

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

^ Is anybody ready to meet me on the sidewalk out front and pop a cork when the strip mall across the street from this property gets its demo permit (perhaps we'll all be walking with canes by then)?

It's too bad there's not much actual vacancy there. It would be easier for the owner to sell. But you never know I guess. Would be amazing to see that thing developed into a 100 unit building with just as many ground floor retail/commercial spaces.

[Chicago Shawn]

Originally Posted by aaron38

What's hilarious and/or quite sad, is reading through the "Affordability Plan for Pilsen" I came across this:


Not anymore. Good luck getting new revenue.

http://www.thepilsenalliance.org/affordability-plan-for-pilsen/

I am amazed at the stupidity of how all this went down.

First of all, for those concerned that this project hastens gentrification, well no, that's already happening to Pilsen because of a verity of factors and arbitrarily restricting housing availability only works to speed up the increase in area land values.

Second, by virtue of this going PD, affordable housing either inclusive or through a cash payment into the trust fund would have been required. Without the PD there will be no affordable housing. Further the 21% requirement for on-site affordable housing has no legal enforcement through city requirements and is really extortion if the end result is agree or "no deal".

Third, the zoning change into manufacturing use not only further ensures no affordable housing will go on site, but after considerable money has been spent on a residential project and downzoning without a formal community plan in place specifying so is a move that could be challenged as an unconstitutional taking.

IMO, the developers need to sue if the zoning change to Manufacturing goes through. This type of aldermanic activity needs to stop now. It also appears the present land owners are the Midwest Jesuits, who wouldn't be paying taxes on it (thus can wait on it), have deep pockets and are well connected. This is a legal fight Solis will not win if we wishes to proceed.

Perhaps there are negotiations and a plan happening behind closed doors...

[ardecila]

Solis would like nothing more than for PMG to sue. Then he can really make them look like the unreasonable greedy developers.

In the court of public opinion, your average Chicagoan is way more likely to understand "money grubbing greedy developer" than "oh gee, I guess there's no way to make the numbers work on affordable housing without giving the developer a handout".

Even if the developers ultimately win in court, Solis wins politically for fighting the good fight. Eventually he will regret it as his ward gets less Hispanic, but history suggests the city will just gerrymander in 2020 until he preserves a Latino majority and be can install his daughter like — Mell.

Maybe Mr D can comment here, does it matter that PMG is still in a due diligence period and has yet to close on the land? It weakens their claim of sunk costs if they never even bought the land...

[LouisVanDerWright]

But Solis loves the gentrification play, see his grab of the entire vacant riverfront in the South Loop in the last redistricting.

[marothisu]

1850 W Chicago Avenue (~ Chicago & Wolcott). Formerly a vacant lot. 59 units + retail

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

But Solis loves the gentrification play, see his grab of the entire vacant riverfront in the South Loop in the last redistricting.

Dude's a smart politician. He plays both sides of the issue depending on the neighborhood.

I think the redistricting of the riverfront was a smart move. Solis' territory over there is almost entirely vacant. He doesn't have to deal with angry voters on the CMK and Related projects, since the neighbors are all in somebody else's ward (Burns or Dowell). Solis' constituents in Pilsen don't give a — about South Loop highrises. I honestly think it's the best political situation for us to get a dense, well-planned development there.

It'll be interesting to see the remapping in 2020. There's no way the South and West Loop continue to be repped by black aldermen... And I'd love to see an Asian-majority ward created out of Chinatown, Bridgeport and McKinley.

[aaron38]

8-Story Tower Planned For Fullerton, Clybourn And Ashland
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160516...r-planned-for-fullerton-clybourn-ashland

The owner of the property at 2300 N. Clybourn Ave. is seeking a zoning change to build a tower there — complete with 85 apartments, ground-floor (retail?) and parking in the building, according to Sheffield Neighbors Association.
Community meeting to gauge support for the zoning change on May 26 at Little Sisters of the Poor, 2325 N. Lakewood Ave., beginning at 7 p.m.

[the urban politician]

^ An 8 story tower? Children will DIE!!

[Near North Resident]

Originally Posted by aaron38

8-Story Tower Planned For Fullerton, Clybourn And Ashland
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160516...r-planned-for-fullerton-clybourn-ashland

who would want to live at that intersection... yuck

[r18tdi]

Originally Posted by Near North Resident

who would want to live at that intersection... yuck

Agreed. Definitely not my cup of tea.

[Randomguy34]

The Clybourn Corridor must be getting hotter if they're proposing an 8 story building this far along the street. Maybe the developer is banking on the Lathrop Homes redevelopment to the north and the Finkl site to the south to make that stretch of Clybourn very active. Plus Ashland runs along that intersection and the Fullerton 'L' stop is not that far away, so transit access isn't that bad. Speaking of which, with all the new developments coming soon over the next decade, has the CTA thought about putting a Clybourn bus line into service to accommodate the growth?