Following months of contentious meetings between community members, 46th Ward Ald. James Cappleman's office and JDL Development Corporation, a five person subcommittee voted April 4 to send the proposed 3750 N. Halsted Development through the city's zoning processwhich, if approved, will go to the full City Council for a vote.
The proposed mixed-use development would replace the parking lot next to the IHOP on the corner of Halsted and Bradley in Boystown, just down the street from the Center on Halsted.
At the March 26 ward zoning and development committee meeting, the committee voted to create a five person subcommittee to work with the developers on a compromise that would address many of the community members concerns.
The subcommittee, which the alderman appointed, was composed of representatives from East Lakeview Neighbors, Northalsted Business Alliance, Grace Neighbors, Magnolia-Malden Neighbors and an architect who lives in the neighborhood.
The subcommittee held a meeting April 4 with Jim Letchinger from JDL Development Corporation (the company spearheading this development), Rick Filler from Harlem Irving Companies (business partners with JDL) and architect Jim Plunkard for three and a half hours. It was during that meeting that the subcommittee voted 4-1 in support of the development with the design changes. Grace Neighbors voted against the project during that meeting.
Also present during the April 4 meeting were staffers from Cappleman's office and Patrick Murphey from the Department of Housing and Economic Development for the City of Chicago.
The development has gone through many design stages since last fall. The design that was proposed in March had the Halsted Street tower at 178 feet and the Grace Street tower at 104 feet. The latest design that was approved on April 4 lowers the Halsted Street tower by two floors to 155 feet and raises the tower on Grace Street by two floors.
Of the new plans, a representative from Halsted Neighbors (which wasn't a part of the subcommittee that voted April 4 since the organization does not hold a seat on the zoning and development committee) said, "We are still concerned with the current design and its impact to the neighborhood, including especially the value of units at the Gill Park Co-op. We are in favor of developing the parking lot, but we feel strongly that the current development is still too tall and dense.
"We were shocked that the process ended so quickly and we don't feel there were meaningful reductions of height and density to address the stated concerns and objections of the neighborhood. We also understood that East Lake View Neighbors and the Northalsted Business Alliance was opposed to the development on similar grounds and are surprised that they voted in favor of the development despite such minor changes compared to what JDL presented on Mar. 26."
"Last week's meeting was respectful and productive, and I am very pleased with the outcome of this process," said Cappleman. "I am very grateful to the committee members and wider community that gave their time over the past seven months to share their ideas on what is best for our neighborhood and city. We've held over 10 meetings throughout the community to make sure everyone could be heard and voice their opinion. I'm pleased with the outcome and the transparency that was achieved in this process."
"We were pleased to be able to participate in the alderman's process. It provided a rare opportunity for productive negotiations between developer and the community," said Letchinger. "The final outcome provides an exciting new project for a neighborhood that will benefit greatly from a new, class-A, market-rate apartment building. We will be turning a dark, non-tax-generating surface lot into an asset for the community. We are excited to be part of this neighborhood's strong and unique culture and are confident that this building will provide a high-quality living option for residents in the area."
According to the alderman's office, the proposed development is estimated to bring approximately 200 construction jobs; more than 50 permanent retail, maintenance and management positions; and $1 million per year in tax revenue. They plan to engage and update the community as the proposal moves through the city and will meet with any ward resident to discuss their concerns.
Halsted Neighbors plans to ensure that the City Planning Commission and Zoning Committee understands its concerns, which, it says, the alderman's office did not adequately address.