Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Do people from the North Side have an accurate view of us?

There’ some talk by bloggers in Uptown, and the comments mentioned our own area (79th & Vincennes). Look in the comments for one by UptownPits.

The area they are talking about is called Wilson Yards. More than 10 years ago, the “Wilson Yards”, former (as in decades ago) end-of-line & repair garage for the CTA burned down leaving a 5 acre parcel of land available – the largest such open space on the North Side. A TIF was developed to reconstruct the area. The problem is, the community has 2 loud camps (not including those in the middle): those who advocate for low income housing, and those who was to ** Uptown. The original plans called for demolition of an existing storefront building (which have since relocated across the street) & and Aldi (to be replaced by a new building), a new parking structure, Target, Movie Theaters, smaller stores, and 2 buildings of mixed income housing. This complex is right off of the Wilson Red Line El Stop, not too far from the Lake and even Wrigley Field.
The current situation is this:

  • Aldi has been the only thing built, and has been functions

  • Target has JUST gotten everything approved (i.e. internally) to officially build, and made an announcement that made the Chicago news circuit.

  • The Movie theater was dropped (to be built somewhere nearby)

  • The housing, now beginning construction. Opponents have likened it to Cabrini Green . The reality is it is more like 2 existing buildings in the neighborhood on Sheridan Road. 4645 houses seniors, and 4640 has lower income families (including many African & Caribbean immigrants). However, the Wilson Yards buildings are FAR SMALLER than the Sheridan Road buildings. And they will NOT be like Cabrini Green.


South Siders – how “true” do you think his/her assertions about travel, etc. are? Is it bad for housing to be built for lower income seniors & families to be built next to the El? How similar – or better or worse—would it be for something similar hear in the 6th ward or nearby?
You can weigh in over there, but expect to be attacked if you aren’t supporting their point of view.

If you post here on thesixthward, we just ask that you be respectful, and try to understand “the other side”.

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