Jefferson Park Redevelopment Plan Called Outdated
July 17, 2009 – A recently released study by the City of Chicago concludes the construction of 1,600 new apartments, condominiums and high rises could help revitalize the Jefferson Park neighborhood. But some residents of the Northwest neighborhood say the last thing the congested area needs is condos and more vehicles.
“This is ridiculous, this is so outdated, who would even think condos when the market was slowing down last year,” said Anna Klocek, a Jefferson Park realtor.
The 200-page study was completed in August 2008 and despite an economic downturn and home foreclosure crisis, the plan has not changed.
It was prepared by the architecture and planning firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP. The city’s Department of Zoning hired the firm using tax increment financing dollars.
The Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association finally received the plan after multiple attempts including Freedom of Information requests over the past year failed.
The group does not like what it sees.
“The citizens in this area feel that we are treated as an after thought by not only our own alderman, but also by the planning department instead of being a participant in these plans,” said Merril Miller, president of the association in an email.
Ald. Patrick Levar (45th) said he has not seen a copy of the plan either despite submitting a request.
The study details new development and re-zoning along the Milwaukee and Lawrence Avenues intersection, near the Jefferson Park CTA terminal. It recommends the highest density zoning classification for this area.
“[The planning firm] said we should have higher buildings around the train station because that’s what happens to other big cities,” Levar said.
Since the plan is only a preliminary design and given our economic climate, Levar does not think the plan will remain as is.
The plan calls for buildings and condos up to eight stories, which some residents think is too big.
“[Residents] are home buyers and bungalow people,” said Lotty Blumenthal, long time resident and secretary to the Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association.
Another big concern residents have with the plan is congestion. Milwaukee Avenue has a high traffic volume and there is no plan for widening it.
“Even if we were to put 500 extra condos, they’ll be traffic havoc,” Klocek said.
The plan also does not include a new school to accommodate the potential influx of families, which is the plan’s stated long-term goal.
“[Our schools] are all over crowded,” said Blumenthal. “Even if half of the condo units have one kid that’s 800, where are we going to put them?”
“These are just some ideas [the planners] had, threw them in a report, and I’m still waiting for a copy,” Levar said. He is more in favor of placing an affordable grocery store in the neighborhood such as a Pick N’ Save.
The planning firm coordinated three to four community meetings with the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce, a small group of select community members and Levar. The Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association was not included.
On June 18 the Chicago Plan Commission deferred hearing the development proposal due to a congested agenda. As of now, a new hearing date has not been set.
